Jesus Before Pilate
11Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, Are you the king of the Jews?
You have said so, Jesus replied.
12When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13Then Pilate asked him, Dont you hear the testimony they are bringing against you? 14But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge to the great amazement of the governor.
15Now it was the governors custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was JesusBarabbas. 17So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah? 18For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.
19While Pilate was sitting on the judges seat, his wife sent him this message: Dont have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.
20But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
21Which of the two do you want me to release to you? asked the governor.
Barabbas, they answered.
22What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah? Pilate asked.
They all answered, Crucify him!
23Why? What crime has he committed? asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, Crucify him!
24When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. I am innocent of this mans blood, he said. It is your responsibility!
25All the people answered, His blood is on us and on our children!
26Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.