13
Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people,
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and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him.
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Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death.
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Therefore, I will punish him and then release him. ”
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But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!”
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(Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)
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Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again.
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But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
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For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”
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But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed.
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So Pilate decided to grant their demand.
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He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.