Luke 23:1–56

¹ Then the whole council rose and led Jesus away to Pilate. ² And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.” ³ So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. ⁴ Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” ⁵ But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people all over Judea with His teaching. He began in Galilee and has come all the way here.” ⁶ When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean. ⁷ And learning that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself was in Jerusalem at that time. ⁸ When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased. He had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see Him perform a miracle. ⁹ Herod questioned Jesus at great length, but He gave no answer. ¹⁰ Meanwhile, the chief priests and scribes stood there, vehemently accusing Him. ¹¹ And even Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him. Dressing Him in a fine robe, they sent Him back to Pilate. ¹² That day Herod and Pilate became friends; before this time they had been enemies. ¹³ Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, ¹⁴ and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him here in your presence and found Him not guilty of your charges against Him. ¹⁵ Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us. As you can see, He has done nothing deserving of death. ¹⁶ Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” ¹⁷ Now he had to release one prisoner to them at the feast. (WEB) ¹⁸ But they all cried out in unison: “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” ¹⁹ (Barabbas had been imprisoned for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) ²⁰ Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again, ²¹ but they kept shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” ²² A third time he said to them, “What evil has this man done? I have found in Him no offense worthy of death. So after I punish Him, I will release Him.” ²³ But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices for Jesus to be crucified. And their clamor prevailed. ²⁴ So Pilate sentenced that their demand be met. ²⁵ As they had requested, he released the one imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and handed Jesus over to their will. ²⁶ As the soldiers led Him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him to carry behind Jesus. ²⁷ A great number of people followed Him, including women who kept mourning and wailing for H…