Matthew 27:4-24

4saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They replied, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!”

5And throwing the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary, he left; and went away and hanged himself.

6The chief priests, picking up the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put these in the treasury [of the temple], because it is the price of blood.”

7So after consultation they used the money to buy the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers.

8Therefore that piece of ground has been called the Field of Blood to this day.

9Then the words spoken by Jeremiah the prophet were fulfilled: “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of Him on whom a price had been set by the sons of Israel;

10and they gave them for the Potter’s Field, as the Lord directed me.”

11Now Jesus stood before [Pilate] the governor, and the governor asked Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” [In affirmation] Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.”

12But when the charges were brought against Him by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer.

13Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they are testifying against You?”

14But Jesus did not reply to him, not even to a single accusation, so that the governor was greatly astonished.

15Now at the feast [of the Passover] the governor was in the habit of setting free any one prisoner whom the people chose.

16And at that time they were holding a notorious prisoner [guilty of insurrection and murder], called Barabbas.

17So when they had assembled [for this purpose], Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to set free for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”

18For Pilate knew that it was because of jealousy that the chief priests and elders had handed Jesus over to him.

19While he was seated on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous and innocent Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.”

20But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death.

21The governor said to them, “Which of the two do you wish me to set free for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.”

22Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all replied, “Let Him be crucified!”

23And he said, “Why, what has He done that is evil?” But they continued shouting all the louder, “Let Him be crucified!”

24So when Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but rather that a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands [to ceremonially cleanse himself of guilt] in the presence of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this [righteous] Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.”