“Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?”
The full verse · Matthew 27:17 · KJV
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Asked by
Pilate: Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, who knew that the leaders had delivered Jesus for envy (Matthew 27:2, 18)
Asked to
Crowd: the people gathered before Pilate at the feast, when the governor was wont to release a prisoner of their choosing (Matthew 27:15, 17)
The Scene
At the feast, when the governor customarily released one prisoner the people chose, a crowd gathers before Pilate, who is holding "a notable prisoner, called Barabbas" (Matthew 27:15-17).
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionPilate was looking for a way to let Jesus go. Matthew explains, "he knew that for envy they had delivered him" (Matthew 27:18), and Luke says Pilate was "willing to release Jesus" (Luke 23:20). Barnes says "Pilate was satisfied of the innocence of Jesus" and knew that Jesus, "though condemned by the chief priests, was yet popular among the people." Gill adds that Pilate set Jesus beside a notorious man on purpose, "not doubting but they would have preferred him." By putting the choice to the crowd, Pilate hoped the people would free Jesus for him.
The Response
What Scripture recordsBefore the crowd answered, "the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus" (Matthew 27:20). When Pilate asked again, "Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you?" they said, "Barabbas" (Matthew 27:21). Asked what to do with Jesus, "They all say unto him, Let him be crucified" (Matthew 27:22). Pilate released Barabbas and delivered Jesus to be crucified (Matthew 27:26).
Historical Context
The world behind the wordsThe custom of releasing a prisoner at the feast appears in Matthew 27:15 and John 18:39. Barnes says it "was probably adopted to secure popularity among the Jews, and to render the government of the Romans less odious."
Matthew calls Barabbas "a notable prisoner" (Matthew 27:16). Mark says he lay bound with insurrectionists and "had committed murder in the insurrection" (Mark 15:7). Luke says he was in prison "for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder" (Luke 23:19), and John calls him "a robber" (John 18:40). Barnes says he was "perhaps a leader of a band who had been guilty of sedition."
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyThis question set two men side by side: a man held for sedition and murder, and the innocent One "which is called Christ." The crowd chose Barabbas. Peter later put it plainly to the people of Jerusalem: "ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you" (Acts 3:14). Matthew Henry draws the wider lesson: "Multitudes who choose the world, rather than God, for their ruler and portion, thus choose their own delusions."
Yet God was at work even here. Peter said that in these events God fulfilled what He "before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer" (Acts 3:18). The guilty man went free, and the innocent One went to the cross (Matthew 27:26).
Look Closer
Why did Pilate offer the crowd a choice between Barabbas and Jesus?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Lord Jesus, the crowd chose Barabbas after others persuaded them; whose voices are shaping how I respond to You?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- The crowd's choice was shaped by leaders who "persuaded the multitude" (Matthew 27:20). Whose opinions most shape what you think about Jesus?
- Barabbas went free while Jesus was condemned. When have you been most aware of receiving something you did not deserve?
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
Every person meets Pilate's question in some form: what will you do with "Jesus which is called Christ"? The crowd let others decide for them. You can listen to Jesus Himself.
There is also comfort here. A guilty man walked free while Jesus went to the cross. And when Peter preached about this very choice, he still called the people to "repent," that their "sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:14, 19). The offer of mercy reached even those who chose Barabbas. This doesn't make the choice unimportant. It means the door to Him is still open.
Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources
Keep questioning
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