Luke 23:1-25

1Then the whole assembly got up and brought Him before Pilate.

2They began to accuse Jesus, asserting, “We found this Man misleading and perverting our nation and forbidding us to pay taxes to Caesar, and claiming that He Himself is Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), a King.”

3So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And He answered him, “It is just as you say.”

4Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this Man.”

5But they were insistent and said, “He stirs up the people [to rebel], teaching throughout Judea, starting from Galilee even as far as here [in Jerusalem].”

6When Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.

7And when he learned that He belonged to the jurisdiction of Herod [Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee], he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

8When Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly pleased. He had wanted to see Him for a long time because of what he had heard about Him, and was hoping to see some [miraculous] sign [even something spectacular] done by Him.

9And he questioned Him at some length, but Jesus made no reply.

10The chief priests and the scribes were standing there, continually accusing Him heatedly.

11And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking and ridiculing Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate.

12Now that very day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other—before this they had been enemies.

13Pilate summoned the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

14and said to them, “You brought this man before me as one who corrupts and incites the people to rebellion. After examining Him before you, I have found no guilt in this Man regarding the charges which you make against Him.

15No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and indeed, He has done nothing to deserve death.

16Therefore I will punish Him [to teach Him a lesson] and release Him.”

17[Now he was obligated to release to them one prisoner at the Feast.]

18But they [loudly] shouted out all together, saying, “Away with this Man, and release Barabbas to us!”

19(He was one who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection that happened in the city, and for murder.)

20Pilate addressed them again, wanting to release Jesus,

21but they kept shouting out, “Crucify, crucify Him!”

22A third time he said to them, “Why, what wrong has He done? I have found no guilt [no crime, no offense] in Him demanding death; therefore I will punish Him [to teach Him a lesson] and release Him.”

23But they were insistent and unrelenting, demanding with loud voices that Jesus be crucified. And their voices began to prevail and accomplish their purpose.

24Pilate pronounced sentence that their demand be granted.

25And he released the man they were asking for who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, but he handed over Jesus to their will.