Matthew 27:15-26
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Jesus or Barabbas
15 At the festival(A) the governor’s custom was to release to the crowd a prisoner they wanted. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.[a] 17 So when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Who is it you want me to release for you—Barabbas,[b] or Jesus who is called Messiah?”(B) 18 For he knew they had handed Him over because of envy.
19 While he was sitting on the judge’s bench, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for today I’ve suffered terribly in a dream because of Him!”(C)
20 The chief priests and the elders, however, persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to execute Jesus. 21 The governor asked them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?”
“Barabbas!” they answered.
22 Pilate asked them, “What should I do then with Jesus, who is called Messiah?”
They all answered, “Crucify Him!”[c](D)
23 Then he said, “Why? What has He done wrong?”
But they kept shouting, “Crucify Him!” all the more.(E)
24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere,[d] but that a riot was starting instead, he took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said, “I am innocent of this man’s blood.[e] See to it yourselves!”(F)
25 All the people answered, “His blood be on us(G) and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But after having Jesus flogged,[f] he handed Him over to be crucified.(H)
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 27:16 Other mss read Jesus Barabbas
- Matthew 27:17 Other mss read Jesus Barabbas
- Matthew 27:22 Lit “Him—be crucified!”
- Matthew 27:24 Lit that it availed nothing
- Matthew 27:24 Other mss read this righteous man’s blood
- Matthew 27:26 Roman flogging was done with a whip made of leather strips embedded with pieces of bone or metal that brutally tore the flesh.
Luke 23:13-25
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Jesus or Barabbas
13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people,(A) 14 and said to them, “You have brought me this man as one who subverts the people.(B) But in fact, after examining Him in your presence, I have found no grounds(C) to charge this man with those things you accuse Him of. 15 Neither has Herod, because he sent Him back to us. Clearly, He has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will have Him whipped[a](D) and then release Him.” [17 For according to the festival he had to release someone to them.][b](E)
18 Then(F) they all cried out together, “Take this man away!(G) Release Barabbas to us!” 19 (He had been thrown into prison for a rebellion that had taken place in the city, and for murder.)
20 Pilate, wanting to release Jesus,(H) addressed them again, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify! Crucify Him!”
22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What has this man done wrong?(I) I have found in Him no grounds(J) for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have Him whipped and then release Him.”
23 But they kept up the pressure, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And their voices[c] won out. 24 So(K) Pilate decided to grant their demand(L) 25 and released the one they were asking for, who had been thrown into prison for rebellion and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will.(M)
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Luke 23:16 Gk paideuo; to discipline or “teach a lesson”; 1Kg 12:11,14 LXX; 2Ch 10:11,14; perhaps a way of referring to the Roman scourging; Lat flagellatio
- Luke 23:17 Other mss omit bracketed text
- Luke 23:23 Other mss add and those of the chief priests
John 18:39-19:6
Holman Christian Standard Bible
39 You(A) have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover. So, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
40 They shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!”(B) Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.[a](C)
Jesus Flogged and Mocked
19 Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. 2 The soldiers also twisted together a crown(D) of thorns, put it on His head, and threw a purple robe around Him. 3 And they repeatedly came up to Him(E) and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and were slapping His face.
4 Pilate went outside again and said to them, “Look, I’m bringing Him outside to you to let you know I find no grounds(F) for charging Him.”
Pilate Sentences Jesus to Death
5 Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe.(G) Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”(H)
6 When the chief priests and the temple police saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!”
Pilate responded, “Take Him and crucify Him yourselves, for I find no grounds for charging Him.”
Footnotes
- John 18:40 Or robber; see Jn 10:1,8 for the same Gk word used here
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