Luke 23:6–25

Jesus Brought Before Herod

6 Now when* Pilate heard this,* he asked if the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he* found out that he was from the jurisdiction of Herod, he sent him over to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem in those days. 8 And when* Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see some miracle performed by him. 9 So he questioned him ⌊at considerable length⌋,a but he answered nothing to him. 10 And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers also treated him with contempt, and after* mocking him* and* dressing him* in glistening clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And both Herod and Pilate became friends with one another on that same day, ⌊for they had previously been enemies of one another⌋.b

Pilate Releases Barabbas

13 So Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people 14 and* said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people, and behold, when I* examined him* before you, I found nothing in this man as basis for the accusation which ⌊you are making⌋c against him. 15 But neither did Herod, because he sent him back to us. And behold, nothing deserving death ⌊has been done⌋d by him. 16 Therefore I will punish him and* release him.”* e 18 But they all cried out in unison, saying, “Take this man away, and release for us Barabbas!” 19 (who had been thrown in prison because of a certain insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder). 20 And Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them*f again, 21 but they kept crying out, saying, “Crucify! Crucify him!” 22 So he said to them a third time, “Why? What wrong has this man done? I found no basis for an accusation ⌊deserving death⌋g in him. Therefore I will punish him and* release him.”* 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he be crucified. And their cries prevailed. 24 And Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 And he released the one who had been thrown into prison because of insurrection and murder, whom they were asking for, but Jesus he handed over to their will.