Luke 23:1-25

1Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate.

2And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”

3Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered him and said, “It is as you say.”

4So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.”

5But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.”

6When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean.

7And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

8Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him.

9Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing.

10And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him.

11Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.

12That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.

13Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,

14said to them, “You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him;

15no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him.

16I will therefore chastise Him and release Him”

17(for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast).

18And they all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”—

19who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder.

20Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them.

21But they shouted, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”

22Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go.”

23But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed.

24So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested.

25And he released to them the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will.