^15–18It was an old custom during the Feast for the governor to pardon a single prisoner named by the crowd. At the time, they had the infamous Jesus Barabbas in prison. With the crowd before him, Pilate said, “Which prisoner do you want me to pardon: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus the so-called Christ?” He knew it was through sheer spite that they had turned Jesus over to him.

¹⁹While court was still in session, Pilate’s wife sent him a message: “Don’t get mixed up in judging this noble man. I’ve just been through a long and troubled night because of a dream about him.”

²⁰Meanwhile, the high priests and religious leaders had talked the crowd into asking for the pardon of Barabbas and the execution of Jesus.

²¹The governor asked, “Which of the two do you want me to pardon?”

They said, “Barabbas!”

²²“Then what do I do with Jesus, the so-called Christ?”

They all shouted, “Nail him to a cross!”

²³He objected, “But for what crime?”

But they yelled all the louder, “Nail him to a cross!”

²⁴When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere and that a riot was imminent, he took a basin of water and washed his hands in full sight of the crowd, saying, “I’m washing my hands of responsibility for this man’s death. From now on, it’s in your hands. You’re judge and jury.”

²⁵The crowd answered, “We’ll take the blame, we and our children after us.”

²⁶Then he pardoned Barabbas. But he had Jesus whipped, and then handed over for crucifixion.

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