Matthew 27:15-31

151Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the 2people any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus 3who is called Christ?” 18For he knew that because of envy they had handed Him over.

194While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, “Have nothing to do with that 5righteous Man; for 6last night I suffered greatly 7in a dream because of Him.” 20But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to 8ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death. 21But the governor 9said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus 10who is called Christ?” They all said, “11Crucify Him!” 23And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “12Crucify Him!”

24When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that 13a riot was starting, he took water and 14washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of 15this Man’s blood; 16see to that yourselves.” 25And all the people said, “17His blood shall be on us and on our children!” 26Then he released Barabbas 18for them; but after having Jesus 19scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.

2720Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into 21the 22Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman 2324cohort around Him. 28They stripped Him and 25put a scarlet robe on Him. 2926And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a 27reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “28Hail, King of the Jews!” 3029They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head. 3130After they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.