Matthew 27:4-24

4“I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said.

“What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.”

5So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

6The chief priests picked up the pieces of silver and said, “It is unlawful to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7After conferring together, they used the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. 8That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9Then what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:

11Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, who questioned Him: “Are You the King of the Jews?”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

12And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer.

13Then Pilate asked Him, “Do You not hear how many charges they are bringing against You?”

14But Jesus gave no answer, not even to a single charge, much to the governor’s amazement.

15Now it was the governor’s custom at the feast to release to the crowd a prisoner of their choosing. 16At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner named Barabbas.2 17So when the crowd had assembled, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.

19While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered terribly in a dream today because of Him.”

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

21“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they replied.

22“What then should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify Him!”

23“Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?”

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”

24When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,3” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”