18. He knew very well that the Jewish authorities had handed Jesus over to him because they were jealous.
19. While Pilate was sitting in the judgement hall, his wife sent him a message: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, because in a dream last night I suffered much on account of him.”
20. The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask Pilate to set Barabbas free and have Jesus put to death.
21. But Pilate asked the crowd, “Which one of these two do you want me to set free for you?”“Barabbas!” they answered.
22. “What, then, shall I do with Jesus called the Messiah?” Pilate asked them.“Crucify him!” they all answered.
23. But Pilate asked, “What crime has he committed?”Then they started shouting at the top of their voices: “Crucify him!”
24. When Pilate saw that it was no use to go on, but that a riot might break out, he took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said, “I am not responsible for the death of this man! This is your doing!”