Study Desk

Now Pilate summoned to himself the chief priests, the ^(F1)(C1)rulers, and the people,

and he said to them, "You brought this Man to me on the ground that ^(C1)He is inciting the people to revolt; and behold, after examining Him before you, I ^(C2)have found no basis at all in the case of this Man for the charges which you are bringing against Him.

"No, nor has ^(C1)Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him.

"Therefore I will ^(F1)(C1)punish Him and release Him."

[^(F1)Now he was obligated to release to them at the feast one prisoner.]

But they cried out all together, saying, "^(C1)Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas!"

(He was one who had been thrown into prison for a revolt that took place in the city, and for murder.)

But Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again,

but they kept on crying out, saying, "Crucify, crucify Him!"

And he said to them a third time, "Why, what has this Man done wrong? I have found ^(F1)in His case no grounds for a sentence of death; therefore I will ^(F2)(C1)punish Him and release Him."

But they were insistent, with loud voices, demanding that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail.

And so Pilate decided to have their demand carried out.

And he released the man for whom they were asking, who had been thrown into prison for a revolt and murder; but he handed Jesus over to their will.