But the leading priests had persuaded the people to ask Pilate to free Barabbas, not Jesus.
“Listen, you priests. Pay attention, people of Israel. Listen, royal family, because you will all be judged. You have been like a trap at Mizpah and like a net spread out at Mount Tabor.
But the leading priests and elders convinced the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be freed and for Jesus to be killed.
Pilate knew that the leading priests had turned Jesus in to him because they were jealous.
Then Pilate asked the crowd again, “So what should I do with this man you call the king of the Jews?”
They shouted back, “No, not him! Let Barabbas go free!” (Barabbas was a robber.)
You did not want the One who is holy and good but asked Pilate to give you a murderer instead.