Jesus Stands in Front of Pilate
27 Early in the morning all the head religious leaders of the Jews and the leaders of the people gathered together and talked about how they could put Jesus to death. 2 They tied Him and took Him away. Then they handed Him over to Pilate who was the leader of the country.
3 Then Judas was sorry he had handed Jesus over when he saw that Jesus was going to be killed. He took back the thirty pieces of silver and gave it to the head religious leaders and the other leaders. 4 He said, “I have sinned because I handed over a Man Who has done no wrong.” And they said, “What is that to us? That is your own doing.” 5 He threw the money down in the house of God and went outside. Then he went away and killed himself by hanging from a rope.
6 The head religious leaders took the money. They said, “It is against the Law to put this money in the house of God. This money has bought blood.” 7 They talked about what to do with the money. Then they decided to buy land to bury strangers in. 8 Because of this, that land is called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 It happened as the early preacher Jeremiah said it would happen. He said, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver which was the price the Jews said they would pay for Him. 10 And they bought land to bury strangers in, as the Lord told me.”
11 Then Jesus stood in front of the leader of the country. The leader asked Jesus, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “What you say is true.” 12 When the head religious leaders and the other leaders spoke against Him, He said nothing. 13 Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear all these things they are saying against You?” 14 Jesus did not say a word. The leader was much surprised and wondered about it.
Jesus or Barabbas Is to Go Free
15 At the special supper each year the leader of the country would always let one person who was in prison go free. It would be the one the people wanted. 16 They had a man who was known by all the people whose name was Barabbas. 17 When they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to let go free? Should it be Barabbas or Jesus Who is called Christ?” 18 For the leader of the country knew the religious leaders had given Jesus over to him because they were jealous.
19 While Pilate was sitting in the place where he judges, his wife sent him this word, “Have nothing to do with that good Man. I have been troubled today in a dream about Him.”
20 The head religious leaders and the other leaders talked the many people into asking for Barabbas to go free and for Jesus to be put to death. 21 The leader of the country said to them, “Which one of the two do you want me to let go free?” They said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what am I to do with Jesus Who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Nail Him to a cross!” 23 Then Pilate said, “Why, what bad thing has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Nail Him to a cross!”
24 Pilate saw that he could do nothing. The people were making loud calls and there was much pushing around. He took water and washed his hands in front of the many people. He said, “I am not guilty of the blood of this good Man. This is your own doing.” 25 Then all the people said, “Let His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Pilate let Barabbas go free but he had men whip Jesus. Then he handed Him over to be nailed to a cross.