15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.

16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.

22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.

25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

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Taking the Place of Barabbas(A)

15 (B)Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. 16 And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called [a]Barabbas. 17 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of (C)envy.

19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”

20 (D)But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”

They said, (E)“Barabbas!”

22 Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”

They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”

23 Then the governor said, (F)“Why, what evil has He done?”

But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”

24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a [b]tumult was rising, he (G)took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this [c]just Person. You see to it.

25 And all the people answered and said, (H)“His blood be on us and on our children.”

26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when (I)he had [d]scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 27:16 NU Jesus Barabbas
  2. Matthew 27:24 an uproar
  3. Matthew 27:24 NU omits just
  4. Matthew 27:26 flogged with a Roman scourge

15 (A)Now at the Passover Feast the governor was accustomed to release for the [a]people any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And at that time they were holding a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus (B)who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was because of envy that [b]they had handed Him over.

19 And (C)while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, “See that you have nothing to do with that (D)righteous Man; for [c]last night I suffered greatly (E)in a dream because of Him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to (F)ask for Barabbas, and to put Jesus to death. 21 And the governor [d]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 shall I do with Jesus (G)who is called Christ?” They all *said, “[e]Crucify Him!” 23 But he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” Yet they kept shouting all the more, saying, “[f]Crucify Him!”

24 Now when Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that (H)a riot was starting, he took water and (I)washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of (J)this Man’s blood; (K)you yourselves shall see.” 25 And all the people replied, “(L)His blood shall be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas [g]for them; but after having Jesus (M)flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 27:15 Lit crowd
  2. Matthew 27:18 I.e., the Jewish leaders
  3. Matthew 27:19 Lit today
  4. Matthew 27:21 Lit answering, said to them
  5. Matthew 27:22 Lit Have Him crucified
  6. Matthew 27:23 Lit Have Him crucified
  7. Matthew 27:26 Or to them