Pilate Seeks Jesus’ Release

¹³ Now Pilate summoned to himself the chief priests, the ^[a](A)rulers, and the people, ¹⁴ and he said to them, “You brought this man to me on the ground that ^(B)he is inciting the people to revolt; and behold, after examining Him before you, I ^(C)have found no basis at all in the case of this man for the charges which you are bringing against Him. ¹⁵ No, nor has ^(D)Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him. ¹⁶ Therefore I will ^[b](E)punish Him and release Him.” ¹⁷ [^[c]Now he was obligated to release to them at the feast one prisoner.]

¹⁸ But they cried out all together, saying, “^(F)Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas!” ¹⁹ (He was one who had been thrown into prison for a revolt that took place in the city, and for murder.) ²⁰ But Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again, ²¹ but they kept on crying out, saying, “Crucify, crucify Him!” ²² And he said to them a third time, “Why, what has this man done wrong? I have found ^[d]in His case no grounds for a sentence of death; therefore I will ^[e](G)punish Him and release Him.” ²³ But they were insistent, with loud voices, demanding that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail. ²⁴ And so Pilate decided to have their demand carried out. ²⁵ And he released the man for whom they were asking, who had been thrown into prison for a revolt and murder; but he handed Jesus over to their will.