At the festival the governor's custom was to release to the crowd a prisoner they wanted.

So when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Who is it you want me to release for you-- Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Messiah?"

At the festival it was Pilate's custom to release for the people a prisoner they requested.

The crowd came up and began to ask [Pilate] to do for them as was his custom.

[[For according to the festival he had to release someone to them.]]

Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again,