Matthew 27:15–23

Barabbas is Freed

Mark 15:6–14; Luke 23:17–23; John 18:39, 40

^15mNow at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. ¹⁶And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called ²Barabbas. ¹⁷Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” ¹⁸For he knew that they had handed Him over because of ⁿenvy.

¹⁹While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”

^20oBut the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. ²¹The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”

They said, ^p“Barabbas!”

²²Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”

They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”

²³Then the governor said, ^q“Why, what evil has He done?”

But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”