Jesus before Pilate

1 aEarly in the morning the chief priests with the elders and scribes and the whole 1bCouncil, immediately held a consultation; and binding Jesus, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate.

2 aPilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And He * answered him, “It is as you say.”

3 The chief priests began to accuse Him 1harshly.

4 Then Pilate questioned Him again, saying, “Do You not answer? See how many charges they bring against You!”

5 But Jesus amade no further answer; so Pilate was amazed.

6 aNow at the feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested.

7 The man named Barabbas had been imprisoned with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the insurrection.

8 The crowd went up and began asking him to do as he had been accustomed to do for them.

9 Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?”

10 For he was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.

11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd ato ask him to release Barabbas for them instead.

12 Answering again, Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?”

13 They shouted 1back, “Crucify Him!”

14 But Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!”

15 Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus ascourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.