15 It was the time of the Passover celebrations, and a tradition had been established that the governor would release one prisoner to the people—whoever they chose. 16 At that time, there was a well-known prisoner named Barabbas, 17 so when all the people had gathered, Pilate shouted down to them, “Who would you all like me to release: Barabbas or Yeshua who’s also being called the messiah?” 18 He said this because he knew that Yeshua had been arrested because of the jealousy of the Jewish leaders.

19 But while Pilate was still making his judgement, his wife sent a note to him, saying, “Don’t touch that guiltless man because I was very distressed by a dream I had about him.”

20 Meanwhile the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to request that Barabbas be released and that Yeshua should be sentenced, 21 so when the governor asked them, “Which of these two men should I release?” they called back, “Barabbas.”

22 “So what should I do to Yeshua who’s called the messiah?” Pilate asked.

“Execute him on a stake!” they all responded.

23 “But what crime has he done?” demanded Pilate.

But they just kept yelling loudly, “Execute him on a stake.”

24 [ref]When Pilate saw that it was going nowhere other than to turn into a riot, got a bowl of water and washed his hands up there in front of the crowd, announcing, “I’m innocent of the blood of this man who has done nothing wrong. It’s your responsibility now.”

25 “The responsibility for his blood will be on us and on our children,” the people shouted back.

26 Then Pilate commanded that Barabbas be released. He commanded that Yeshua be flogged and then he handed him over to be executed.