Pilate Washes His Hands

Pilate sees that his efforts are failing and a riot is beginning, so he washes his hands before the crowd and declares himself innocent of Jesus’s blood. The people accept the blame, and Pilate releases Barabbas, orders Jesus flogged, and hands him over to be crucified.

W²⁴hen Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood, ” he said. “You bear the responsibility.” ²⁵All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” ²⁶So Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.