17. So when they had assembled for this purpose, Pilate said to them, Whom do you want me to set free for you, Barabbas, or Jesus Who is called Christ?
18. For he knew that it was because of envy that they had handed Him over to him.
19. Also, while he was seated on the judgment bench, his wife sent him a message, saying, Have nothing to do with that just and upright Man, for I have had a painful experience today in a dream because of Him.
20. But the chief priests and the elders prevailed on the people to ask for Barabbas, and put Jesus to death.
21. Again the governor said to them, Which of the two do you wish 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?
23. They all replied, Let Him be crucified! And he said, Why? What has He done that is evil? But they shouted all the louder, Let Him be crucified!
24. So when Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but rather that a riot was about to break out, he took water and washed his hands in the presence of the crowd, saying, I am not guilty of nor responsible for this righteous Man's blood; see to it yourselves. [Deut. 21:6-9; Ps. 26:6.]
25. And all the people answered, Let His blood be on us and on our children! [Josh. 2:19.]
26. So he set free for them Barabbas; and he [had] Jesus whipped, and delivered Him up to be crucified.
27. Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the palace, and they gathered the whole battalion about Him.
28. And they stripped off His clothes and put a scarlet robe (garment of dignity and office worn by Roman officers of rank) upon Him,
29. And, weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on His head and put a reed (staff) in His right hand. And kneeling before Him, they made sport of Him, saying, Hail (greetings, good health to You, long life to You), King of the Jews!
30. And they spat on Him, and took the reed (staff) and struck Him on the head.
31. And when they finished making sport of Him, they stripped Him of the robe and put His own garments on Him and led Him away to be crucified.