Readings for Lent and Easter

Jesus’ Trial in Pilate’s Court

15 As soon as it was morning, the chief priests, along with the elders, the experts in the law, and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. ² Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

He answered him, “It is as you say.”

³ The chief priests accused him of many things. ⁴ Pilate questioned him again, “Are you not going to answer anything? See how many charges they are bringing against you!”

⁵ But Jesus still did not answer anything, so Pilate was amazed.

Barabbas or Jesus?

⁶ At each Festival, Pilate used to release to the people one prisoner whom they requested. ⁷ There was one named Barabbas, who was imprisoned with the rebels and had committed murder in the rebellion. ⁸ The crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do for them what he usually did.

⁹ Pilate replied, “Do you want me to release the King of the Jews to you?” ¹⁰ In fact, he knew that it was because of envy that the chief priests had handed him over.

¹¹ But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas to them instead.

¹² Again, Pilate replied to them, “Then what do you want me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?”

¹³ “Crucify him!” they shouted back.

¹⁴ But Pilate said to them, “Why? What has he done wrong?”

But they shouted even louder, “Crucify him!”