[NIV] 15 Now it was the governor‘s custom at the festivalto release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. - P48
20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded thecrowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. - P48
21 "Which of the two do you want me to release toyou?" asked the governor. "Barabbas," they answered.
22 "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called theMessiah?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucifyhim!"
MTHh - P49
24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, butthat instead an uproar was starting, he took water andwashed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocentof this man‘s blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!"
- P49
25 All the people answered, "His blood is on us and onour children!"
26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesusflogged, and handed him over to be crucified. - P49
Pilate asks the crowd whether they want to free Jesus or Barabbas, a well-known prisoner. The crowd is persuaded by the Jewish leaders to ask forBarabbas‘s freedom and for Jesus‘ crucifixion. - P49
Pilate gives in to their requestbut says he is innocent of Jesus‘ blood and that it is their responsibility. - P49
Pilate convenes a trial to determine Jesus‘ fate. - P50
The ruler finds himself ina difficult situation, facing pressure from all sides: the demands of theangry crowd, the urgent request from his wife, and his own consciencethat knows Jesus is innocent. - P50
He tries to reason with the crowd, butthey refuse to relent and insist that Jesus be crucified-even if it meansa known criminal is released instead. The entire scene is complete chaos and Pilate‘s trial is nothing more than a sham. - P50
But even amid thisgross display of injustice, God is at work. - P50
From the very beginning, He planned to redeem humankind by sending His Son to be condemnedfor our sins and receive the death penalty we deserved. - P50
Seeking to absolve himself of any responsibility over Jesus‘ death, Pilatewashes his hands in a public display of resignation while the people cryout for Jesus‘ blood to be upon them and their children. - P50
In this scenewe are presented with a vivid, symbolic picture of the gospel. - P50
Becausewe are covered by the blood of Jesus, we are cleared and cleansed of allwrongdoing before God. - P50
The guilty verdict has been given to Jesus,
the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. - P50
Now, we standjustified before the throne of judgment, clothed in Jesus‘ perfect righ-teousness. - P50
While we were still sinners, we were saved from God‘s wrath. - P50
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