Matthew 27:15-26

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

15 aNow at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or bJesus who is called Christ?” 18For he knew that it was out cof envy that they had delivered him up. 19Besides, while he was sitting on dthe judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with ethat righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today fin a dream.” 20Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to gask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” hThey all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23And he said, “Why? iWhat evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

24So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that ja riot was beginning, he took water and kwashed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of lthis man’s blood;
Some manuscripts  this righteous blood, or  this righteous man’s blood
nsee to it yourselves.”
25And all the people answered, oHis blood be on us and pon our children!” 26Then he released for them Barabbas, and having qscourged
A Roman judicial penalty, consisting of a severe beating with a multi-lashed whip containing imbedded pieces of bone and metal
Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

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