Readings for Lent and Easter

¹¹ Now Herod together with his soldiers were treating Him with contempt and mocking Him.^[a] They put splendid clothing on Him and sent Him back to Pilate. ¹² And Herod and Pilate became friends with one another from that very day, for previously they had been enemies with one another.

Pilate’s Decree

¹³ Now Pilate called together the ruling kohanim, the leaders, and the people. ¹⁴ And he said to them, “You brought this Man to me as one who incites the people to revolt. But having examined Him in your presence, I have found no case against this Man regarding what you accuse Him of doing. ¹⁵ Nor did Herod, for he sent Him back to us. Indeed, He has done nothing that is worthy of death. ¹⁶ Therefore I will scourge Him and release Him.” (¹⁷ )^[b]

¹⁸ But they shouted out all together, saying, “Take this fellow away! Release to us Bar-Abba!” ^{[c] 19} (He was someone who had been thrown into prison for a rebellion in the city and murder.)

²⁰ Again Pilate addressed them, wanting to release Yeshua; ²¹ but they kept shouting out, saying, “Execute, execute Him!”

²² And a third time he spoke to them, “Why? What evil has this One done? I have found in Him no fault deserving of death. Therefore, I will scourge and release Him.”

²³ But they were insistent, demanding with loud shouts that He be executed. And their voices prevailed. ²⁴ So Pilate decreed that their demand be put into effect. ²⁵ And He released the one they were asking for, the one thrown in jail for insurrection and murder. But he handed over Yeshua to their will.