Luke 23:8–25

⁸Herod was very glad to see Jesus; for a long time he had wanted to see him because he had heard about him and was hoping to see some miracle^A performed by him. ⁹So he kept asking him questions, but Jesus did not answer him.^{q 10}The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. ¹¹Then Herod, with his soldiers, treated him with contempt, mocked^r him, dressed him in bright clothing,^s and sent him back to Pilate. ¹²That very day Herod and Pilate became friends.^Bt Previously, they had been enemies.

JESUS OR BARABBAS

¹³Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people,^{u 14}and said to them, “You have brought me this man as one who misleads the people.^v But in fact, after examining him in your presence, I have found no grounds^w to charge this man with those things you accuse him of. ¹⁵Neither has Herod, because he sent him back to us. Clearly, he has done nothing to deserve death. ¹⁶Therefore, I will have him whipped^Cx and then release him.”

¹⁸Then^y they all cried out together, “Take this man away!^z Release Barabbas to us!” ¹⁹(He had been thrown into prison for a rebellion that had taken place in the city, and for murder.)

²⁰Wanting to release Jesus,^aa Pilate addressed them again, ²¹but they kept shouting, “Crucify! Crucify him!”

²²A third time he said to them, “Why? What has this man done wrong?^ab I have found in him no grounds^ac for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have him whipped and then release him.”

²³But they kept up the pressure, demanding with loud voices that he be crucified, and their voices^E won out. ²⁴So^ad Pilate decided to grant their demand^{ae 25}and released the one they were asking for, who had been thrown into prison for rebellion and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will.^af