15 aNow at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the 1people any one prisoner whom they wanted.

16 At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas.

17 So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus awho is called Christ?”

18 For he knew that because of envy they had handed Him over.

19 aWhile he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, “Have nothing to do with that brighteous Man; for 1last night I suffered greatly cin a dream because of Him.”

20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to aask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death.

21 But the governor 1said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.”

22 Pilate * said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus awho is called Christ?” They all * said, “1Crucify Him!”

23 And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “1Crucify Him!”

24 When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that aa riot was starting, he took water and bwashed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of cthis Man’s blood; dsee to that yourselves.”

25 And all the people said, “aHis blood shall be on us and on our children!”

26 Then he released Barabbas 1for them; but after having Jesus ascourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.

Jesus Is Mocked

27 aThen the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into bthe 1Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman 2ccohort around Him.

28 They stripped Him and aput a scarlet robe on Him.

29 aAnd after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a 1reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “bHail, King of the Jews!”

30 aThey spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head.

31 aAfter they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.

32 aAs they were coming out, they found a man of bCyrene named Simon, 1whom they pressed into service to bear His cross.

The Crucifixion

33 aAnd when they came to a place called bGolgotha, which means Place of a Skull,

34 athey gave Him bwine to drink mixed with gall; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink.

35 And when they had crucified Him, athey divided up His garments among themselves by casting 1lots.

36 And sitting down, they began to akeep watch over Him there.

37 And above His head they put up the charge against Him 1which read, “aTHIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

38 At that time two robbers * were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left.

39 And those passing by were 1hurling abuse at Him, awagging their heads

40 and saying, “aYou who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! bIf You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

41 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying,

42 “aHe saved others; 1He cannot save Himself. bHe is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him.

43 “aHe trusts in God; let God rescue Him now, if He 1delights in Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”

44 aThe robbers who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him with the same words.

45 aNow from the 1sixth hour darkness 2fell upon all the land until the 3ninth hour.

46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “aEli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”