027:020 The High Priests, however, and the Elders urged the crowd
to ask for Barabbas and to demand the death of Jesus.
027:021 So when the Governor a second time asked them, "Which of the two
shall I release to you?"--they cried, "Barabbas!"
027:022 "What then," said Pilate, "shall I do with Jesus,
the so-called Christ?" With one voice they shouted,
"Let him be crucified!"
027:023 "Why, what crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.
But they kept on furiously shouting, "Let him be crucified!"
027:024 So when he saw that he could gain nothing, but that on the contrary
there was a riot threatening, he called for water and washed
his hands in sight of them all, saying, "I am not responsible
for this murder: you must answer for it."
027:025 "His blood," replied all the people, "be on us and on our children!"
027:026 Then he released Barabbas to them, but Jesus he ordered
to be scourged, and gave Him up to be crucified.
027:027 Then the Governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium,
and called together the whole battalion to make sport of Him.
027:028 Stripping off His garments, they put on Him a general's
short crimson cloak.
027:029 They twisted a wreath of thorny twigs and put it on His head,
and they put a sceptre of cane in His right hand, and kneeling
to Him they shouted in mockery, "Long live the King of the Jews!"
027:030 Then they spat upon Him, and taking the cane they repeatedly
struck Him on the head with it.
027:031 At last, having finished their sport, they took off the cloak,
clothed Him again in His own garments, and led Him
away for crucifixion.
027:032 Going out they met a Cyrenaean named Simon; whom they compelled
to carry His cross,