The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

(Matthew 27:15–23; Mark 15:6–11)

13 Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, 14 [and] said to them, “You brought me this man as [one who] was inciting the people {to rebellion}. I have examined [Him] here in your presence [and] found [Him] not guilty of your charges against Him. 15 Neither [has] Herod, for I sent you back to him.[fn] As you can see, He has done nothing deserving of death. 16 Therefore I will punish Him [and] release [Him].”

17 Now [Pilate] was obliged to release to [the people] one [prisoner] at [the] feast.[fn] 18 But they all cried out in unison: “Away with this [man]! Release Barabbas to us!” 19 ([Barabbas] had been imprisoned for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify [Him]! Crucify Him!”

22 A third [time] he said to them, “What evil {has} this [man] done? I have found in Him no offense worthy of death. So after I punish Him, I will release [Him].”

23 But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices for [Jesus] to be crucified. And their clamor and [that] of the chief priests[fn] prevailed. 24 So Pilate sentenced [that] their demand be met. 25 As they had requested, he released[fn] the [one] imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over to their will.