Jesus Brought before Pilate

27 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus in order to bring about his death. ² They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor.

Pilate Questions Jesus

¹¹ Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus said, ‘You say so.’ ¹² But 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?

¹⁵ Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. ¹⁶ At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus^[a] Barabbas. ¹⁷ So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, ‘Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus^[b] Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?’^{[c] 18} For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. ¹⁹ While he was sitting on the judgement 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.’ ²² Pilate said to them, ‘Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?’^[d] All of them said, ‘Let him be crucified!’ ²³ Then he asked, ‘Why, what evil has he done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Let him be crucified!’