Jesus or Barabbas

⁶ At^(A) the festival^(B) it was Pilate’s^(C) custom to release for the people a prisoner they requested. ⁷ There was one named Barabbas, who was in prison with rebels who had committed murder^(D) during the rebellion.^{(E) 8} The crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do for them as was his custom. ⁹ So Pilate answered them, “Do you want me to release the King^(F) of the Jews^(G) for you?” ¹⁰ For he knew it was because of envy^(H) that the chief priests had handed Him over. ¹¹ But the chief priests stirred up the crowd so that he would release Barabbas to them instead.

¹² Pilate asked them again, “Then what do you want me to do with the One you call the King of the Jews?”

¹³ Again they shouted, “Crucify Him!”

¹⁴ Then Pilate said to them, “Why? What has He done wrong?”

But they shouted, “Crucify Him!” all the more.

¹⁵ Then, willing to gratify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. And after having Jesus flogged,^[a] he handed Him over to be crucified.

³⁹ Some of the Pharisees from the crowd told Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.”

⁴⁰ He answered, “I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out!”^(A)

Jesus’ Love for Jerusalem

⁴¹ As He approached and saw the city, He wept^(B) over it, ⁴² saying, “If you knew^(C) this day what would bring peace—but now it is hidden^(D) from your eyes. ⁴³ For the days will come on you^(E) when your enemies will build an embankment against you, surround you, and hem you in on every side.^{(F) 44} They will crush you and your children within you to the ground,^(G) and they will not leave one stone on another^(H) in you, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”^(I)

⁴⁷ So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin^(A) and said, “What are we going to do since this man does many signs? ⁴⁸ If we let Him continue in this way, everyone will believe in Him! Then the Romans^(B) will come and remove both our place^[a] and our nation.”

³⁶ While you have the light,^(A) believe in the light so that you may become sons of light.” Jesus said this, then went away and hid from them.^(B)

Isaiah’s Prophecies Fulfilled

³⁷ Even though He had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in Him. ³⁸ But this was to fulfill^(C) the word of Isaiah^(D) the prophet, who said:^[a]

³⁹ This is why they were unable to believe, because Isaiah also said:

⁴¹ Isaiah said these things because^[d] he saw His glory^(K) and spoke about Him.

⁴² Nevertheless, many did believe in Him even among the rulers,^(L) but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, so they would not be banned from the synagogue. ⁴³ For they loved praise from men^(M) more than praise from God.^[e](N)

¹⁵ But they shouted, “Take Him away! Take Him away! Crucify Him!”

Pilate said to them, “Should I crucify your king?”

“We have no king but Caesar!” the chief priests answered.