16-17. So I will just have him whipped and let him go."
18. With one voice the crowd cried out, "Kill this man! Give Barabbas to us!"
19. Barabbas had been thrown into prison. He had taken part in a struggle in the city against the authorities. He had also committed murder.
20. Pilate wanted to let Jesus go. So he made an appeal to the crowd again.
21. But they kept shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"
22. Pilate spoke to them for the third time. "Why?" he asked. "What wrong has this man done? I have found no reason to have him put to death. So I will just have him whipped and let him go."
23. But with loud shouts they kept calling for Jesus to be crucified. The people's shouts won out.
24. So Pilate decided to give them what they wanted.
25. He set free the man they asked for. The man had been thrown in prison for murder and for fighting against the authorities. Pilate gave Jesus over to them so they could carry out their plans.
26. As they led Jesus away, they took hold of Simon. Simon was from Cyrene. He was on his way in from the country. They put a wooden cross on his shoulders. Then they made him carry it behind Jesus.
27. A large number of people followed Jesus. Some were women whose hearts were filled with sorrow. They cried loudly because of him.