At that time they had in custody a notorious prisoner named Jesus ¹  Barabbas.

Then they shouted back, ¹  “Not this man, ²  but Barabbas!” ³  (Now Barabbas was a revolutionary. ⁴ ) ⁵ 

But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release ¹  Barabbas instead.

But they all shouted out together, ¹  “Take this man ²  away! Release Barabbas for us!”

Then he released Barabbas for them. But after he had Jesus flogged, ¹  he handed him over ²  to be crucified. ³ 

A man named Barabbas was imprisoned with rebels who had committed murder during an insurrection.

So after they had assembled, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus ¹  Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Christ?” ² 

But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed.

The ¹  governor asked them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas!”

Because he wanted to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them. Then, ¹  after he had Jesus flogged, ²  he handed him over ³  to be crucified.

even before they were born or had done anything good or bad (so that God’s purpose in election ¹  would stand, not by works but by ²  his calling) ³  –