27 ¹⁵ At the festival season it was the Governor's custom to release one prisoner chosen by the people. 27 ¹⁶ There was then in custody a man of some notoriety, called Jesus Bar-Abbas. 27 ¹⁷ When they were assembled Pilate said to them, 'Which would you like me to release to you Jesus Bar-Abbas, or Jesus called Messiah?' 27 ¹⁸ For is he knew that it was out of spite that they had brought Jesus before him.
27 ¹⁹ While Pilate was sitting in court a message came to him from his wife: 'Have nothing to do with that innocent man; I was much troubled on his account in my dreams last night.'
27 ²⁰ Meanwhile the chief priests and elders had persuaded the crowd to ask for the release of Bar-Abbas and to have Jesus put to death. 27 ²¹ So when the Governor asked, 'Which of the two do you wish me to release to you?', they said, 'Bar-Abbas.' 27 ²² 'Then what am I to do with Jesus called Messiah?' asked Pilate; and with one voice they answered, 'Crucify him!' 27 ²³ 'Why, what harm has he done ?' Pilate asked; but they shouted all the louder, 'Crucify him!'

27 ²⁴ Pilate could see that nothing was being gained, and a riot was starting; so he took water and washed his hands in full view of the people, saying, 'My hands are clean of this man's blood; see to that yourselves.' 27 ²⁵ And with one voice the people cried, 'His blood be on us, and on our children.' 27 ²⁶ He then released Bar-Abbas to them; but he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.