Matthew 27:15–26; Mark 15:6–15; Luke 23:18–25; John 18:39–40; John 19:16

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Matthew 27:15–26

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

15 qNow at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or rJesus who is called Christ? 18 For he knew that it was out sof envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on tthe judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, Have nothing to do with uthat righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today vin a dream. 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to wask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, Which of the two do you want me to release for you? And they said, Barabbas. 22 Pilate said to them, Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ? xThey all said, Let him be crucified! 23 And he said, Why? yWhat evil has he done? But they shouted all the more, Let him be crucified!

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that za riot was beginning, he took water and awashed his hands before the crowd, saying, I am innocent of bthis man’s blood;1 csee to it yourselves. 25 And all the people answered, dHis blood be on us and eon our children! 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having fscourged2 Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.


Mark 15:6–15

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

mNow at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. And among the rebels in prison, who had ncommitted murder oin the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. And he answered them, saying, Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews? 10 For he perceived that pit was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. 12 And Pilate again said to them, Then what shall I do with qthe man you call the King of the Jews? 13 And they cried out again, Crucify him. 14 And Pilate said to them, Why? rWhat evil has he done? But they shouted all the more, Crucify him. 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having sscourged1 Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.


Luke 23:18–25

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

18 aBut they all cried out together, bAway with this man, and release to us Barabbas 19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and cfor murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, Crucify, crucify him! 22 A third time he said to them, Why? dWhat evil has he done? eI have found in him no guilt deserving death. fI will therefore punish and release him. 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison gfor insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, hbut he delivered Jesus over to their will.


John 18:39–40

39 oBut you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews? 40 They cried out again, pNot this man, but Barabbas! Now Barabbas was a robber.1


John 19:16

16 mSo he ndelivered him over to them to be crucified.

The Crucifixion

So they took Jesus,