Luke 23:13-25

Luke 23

¹³ Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, ¹⁴ and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one who is misleading the people. Look, I have examined him in your presence. I have found in this man no basis for the charges you are bringing against him. ¹⁵ Herod did not either, for he sent him back to us. ^[1] See, he has done nothing worthy of death. ¹⁶ So I will have him flogged and release him.”

Barabbas or Jesus?

¹⁷ Pilate needed to release one prisoner to them at the Festival. ^{[2] 18} But they all shouted together with one voice: “Take him away! Release Barabbas to us!” ¹⁹ Barabbas had been thrown in prison for a rebellion in the city and for murder.

²⁰ Pilate addressed them again, because he wanted to release Jesus. ²¹ But they kept shouting, “Crucify! Crucify him!”

²² He said to them the third time, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found no grounds for sentencing him to death. So I will whip him and release him.” ²³ But they kept pressuring him with loud voices, demanding that he be crucified. And their voices ^[3] were overwhelming. ²⁴ So Pilate decided that what they demanded would be done. ²⁵ He released the one they had asked for, who had been thrown in prison for rebellion and murder, but he handed Jesus over to their will.