He released the man they asked for, the one who had been thrown in prison for murder and for leading a revolt against the authorities. But he handed Jesus over to them so they could do what they wanted with him.
Pilate wanted to satisfy the crowd, so he let Barabbas go free. But he ordered Jesus to be whipped, and then he handed him over to be nailed to a cross.
Then Jesus asked the crowd, “Why did you come here with swords and clubs to capture me, as if I’d been leading a rebellion? I was in the temple courtyard every day teaching, but you didn’t try to arrest me.