Matthew 27:21–26
These things are a great proof against the Jews, who chose a robber and murderer rather than Christ. So little did justice matter to them, and thus, for “piety,” they were accusing Christ. And though the one appointed to judge was freeing him, they urge a death verdict against the leader and teacher of all piety, <and>, so that they might undergo a still heavier punishment, they cried out, “Take this one; release Barabbas to us.” (Matthew 27:21–26) See clearly: they “denied the Holy and Righteous One,” as blessed Peter says, “and asked that a murderer be granted them,” (Acts 3:14) so that they would be sharers of that man’s portion.
Greek
Μέγας ἔλεγχος ταῦτα τῶν Ἰουδαίων λῃστὴν καὶ φονέα ἑλομένων μᾶλλον ἢ τὸν Χριστόν· τοσοῦτον αὐτοῖς ἔμελε τοῦ δικαίου καὶ οὕτως διὰ τὴν ὁσιότητα κατηγόρουν Χριστοῦ· καὶ τοῦ κρίνειν λαχόντος ἐλευ θεροῦντος αὐτὸν θανάτου ψῆφον ὑποστῆναι παρακαλοῦσιν τὸν πάσης εὐσεβείας καθηγητὴν καὶ διδάσκαλον, <καὶ> ἵνα ἔτι φορτικωτέραν ὑπο μείνωσι τὴν κόλασιν, ἀνέκραγον λέγοντες· "αἶρε τοῦτον, ἀπόλυσον ἡμῖν τὸν Βαραββᾶν". ἰδοὺ δὴ σαφῶς "τὸν ἅγιον καὶ δίκαιον ἠρνήσαντο" καθά φησιν ὁ μακάριος Πέτρος "καὶ ᾔτησαν ἄνδρα φονέα χαρισθῆναι" αὐτοῖς, ἵνα τῆς ἐκείνου μερίδος ἔσονται κοινωνοί.