| 15 | Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. |
| 16 | And they had then a notorious prisoner, called Barab'bas. |
| 17 | So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release for you, Barab'bas or Jesus who is called Christ?" |
| 18 | For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. |
| 19 | Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, "Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much over him today in a dream." |
| 20 | Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the people to ask for Barab'bas and destroy Jesus. |
| 21 | The governor again said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release for you?" And they said, "Barab'bas." |
| 22 | Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said, "Let him be crucified." |
| 23 | And he said, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they shouted all the more, "Let him be crucified." |
| 24 | So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves." |
| 25 | And all the people answered, "His blood be on us and on our children!" |
| 26 | Then he released for them Barab'bas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified. |