13. Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people,
14. and said to them, “You have brought me this man as one who subverts the people. But in fact, after examining Him in your presence, I have found no grounds to charge this man with those things you accuse Him of.
15. Neither has Herod, because he sent Him back to us. Clearly, He has done nothing to deserve death.
16. Therefore, I will have Him whipped and then release Him.”
17. For according to the festival he had to release someone to them.
18. Then they all cried out together, “Take this man away! Release Barabbas to us! ”
19. (He had been thrown into prison for a rebellion that had taken place in the city, and for murder.)
20. Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again,
21. but they kept shouting, “Crucify! Crucify Him! ”
22. A third time he said to them, “Why? What has this man done wrong? I have found in Him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have Him whipped and then release Him.”
23. But they kept up the pressure, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And their voices won out.
24. So Pilate decided to grant their demand
25. and released the one they were asking for, who had been thrown into prison for rebellion and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will.
26. As they led Him away, they seized Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry behind Jesus.
27. A large crowd of people followed Him, including women who were mourning and lamenting Him.
28. But turning to them, Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and your children.
29. Look, the days are coming when they will say, ‘The women without children, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed, are fortunate! ’