September 30 Daily Devotional

Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 18

“At the feast of the Passover the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder … Therefore, when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus, which is called Christ. But the chief priests moved the people that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. And Pilate answered, and said again unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus, which is called Christ. And they cried out again, Crucify him! crucify him! And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him; I will therefore chastise him, and let him go. And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified: and the voices of them, and of the chief priests prevailed; and they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him!”

“When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying. I am innocent of the blood of this just person; see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them. Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. The soldiers stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe: and when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!”

“Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man. When the chief priest therefore, and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him! crucify him! Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God … If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend. Whosoever maketh himself a king, speaketh against Caesar. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat … and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with him! away with him! crucify him! Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priest answered, We have no king but Caesar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified.”