Matthew 27:11–26

Pilate Questions Jesus

¹¹Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” ¹²But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer.^{* 13}Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?”^{* 14}But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.^*

Barabbas or Jesus?

¹⁵Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. ¹⁶At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Jesus^o Barabbas. ¹⁷So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus^p Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”^{q 18}For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. ¹⁹While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.”^{* 20}Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed.^{* 21}The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” ²²Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”^r All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” ²³Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

Pilate Hands Jesus Over to Be Crucified

²⁴So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood;^s see to it yourselves.”^{* 25}Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”^{* 26}So he released Barabbas for them, and after flogging Jesus he handed him over to be crucified.^*