An account of Pontius Pilate’s attempt to release Jesus. After questioning Jesus and finding no fault in Him, Pilate sought to set Him free. However, the Jewish leaders insisted that releasing Jesus would make Pilate no friend of Caesar. They argued that anyone claiming to be a king opposes Caesar. Despite Pilate’s efforts, the crowd’s pressure led to Jesus’ crucifixion. It’s a powerful moment in the biblical narrative, highlighting the tension between justice, political expediency, and personal conviction. Pilate’s struggle to balance these factors ultimately resulted in Jesus’ fate. Pilate “had Jesus flogged” and handed Him over to be crucified. During this time, the soldiers beat Jesus, mocked Him, and placed a crown of thorns on His head, jeering at Him as the “King of the Jews” Lord Your love was so great that You sent Jesus to be my Saviour and that His loving forgiveness includes me and all who believe.

It reads in Luke 23:13-25 Easy-to-Read Version> Pilate called all the people together with the leading priests and the Jewish leaders. He said to them, “You brought this man to me. You said he was trying to change the people. But I judged him before you all and have not found him guilty of the things you say he has done. Herod didn’t find him guilty either. He sent him back to us. Look, he has done nothing bad enough for the death penalty. So, after I punish him a little, I will let him go free.” But they all shouted, “Kill him! Let Barabbas go free!” (Barabbas was a man who was in jail for starting a riot in the city and for murder.) Pilate wanted to let Jesus go free. So again Pilate told them that he would let him go. But they shouted again, “Kill him! Kill him on a cross!” A third time Pilate said to the people, “Why? What wrong has he done? He is not guilty. I can find no reason to kill him. So I will let him go free after I punish him a little.” But the people continued to shout. They demanded that Jesus be killed on the cross. Their shouting got so loud that 24 Pilates decided to give them what they wanted. They wanted Barabbas to go free, the one who was in jail for starting a riot and for murder. Pilate let Barabbas go free. And he handed Jesus over to be killed. This is what the people wanted.