MAT 27:15-23

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

15Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd one prisoner whom they wanted. [27:16] And they had at that time a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. [27:17] So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, 'Whom do you want me to release for you — Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?' [27:18] For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. [27:19] And while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent a message to him saying, 'Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered greatly today in a dream because of him.' [27:20] Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. [27:21] The governor answered and said to them, 'Which of the two do you want me to release for you?' And they said, 'Barabbas.' [27:22] Pilate said to them, 'Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?' They all said, 'Let him be crucified!' [27:23] But he said, 'Why, what evil has he done?' But they shouted all the more, saying, 'Let him be crucified!'

In the world it was spoken into

In the Roman provincial governance of Judea, the governor had the authority to release a prisoner during festivals as a gesture of goodwill to maintain order and appease the populace. Barabbas, described as , was likely notorious—a figure known for insurrection or criminal acts, possibly a leader in anti-Roman activities. The , an unruly crowd, was a volatile entity, often manipulated by local leaders like the chief priests and elders. Pilate, seated on the , the judicial platform symbolizing Roman authority, sought to navigate this tension. His wife’s warning, rooted in a dream, reflects the Roman belief in omens and the potential divine significance of Jesus’ innocence. The (envy) of the religious leaders underscores their desire to eliminate Jesus, whom they perceived as a threat to their authority. The crowd’s choice of Barabbas over Jesus highlights the political and social pressures of the moment, as well as the manipulation of public sentiment by the elite.

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How other translations render this

MAT 27:15

KJV: Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
BSB: Now it was the governorʼs custom at the feast to release to the crowd a prisoner of their choosing.
Koinōnos: Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd one prisoner whom they wanted.

MAT 27:16

KJV: And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
BSB: At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner named Barabbas.
Koinōnos: And they had at that time a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.

MAT 27:17

KJV: 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?
BSB: So when the crowd had assembled, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”
Koinōnos: So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, 'Whom do you want me to release for you — Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?

MAT 27:18

KJV: For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
BSB: For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.
Koinōnos: For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.

MAT 27:19

KJV: When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
BSB: While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered terribly in a dream today because of Him.”
Koinōnos: And while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent a message to him saying, 'Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered greatly today in a dream because of him.

MAT 27:20

KJV: But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
BSB: But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death.
Koinōnos: Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.

MAT 27:21

KJV: The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
BSB: “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they replied.
Koinōnos: The governor answered and said to them, 'Which of the two do you want me to release for you?' And they said, 'Barabbas.

MAT 27:22

KJV: Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
BSB: “What then should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify Him!”
Koinōnos: Pilate said to them, 'Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?' They all said, 'Let him be crucified!

MAT 27:23

KJV: And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
BSB: “Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”
Koinōnos: But he said, 'Why, what evil has he done?' But they shouted all the more, saying, 'Let him be crucified!

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

MAT 27:15

multitude:The word translated 'multitude' refers to a large, often unruly or undisciplined crowd, emphasizing their collective, sometimes chaotic, nature rather than just a large number of people.

MAT 27:16

notable:The term translated 'notable' here suggests someone who is marked out or distinguished, often in a negative sense, like a notorious criminal, rather than simply well-known or prominent.

MAT 27:18

envy:The word translated 'envy' describes a strong ill-will or malice, specifically a resentful displeasure at the good fortune or success of others, often leading to hostile actions.

MAT 27:19

judgment seat:The term 'judgment seat' refers to a raised platform or tribunal from which a magistrate or ruler would hear cases and pronounce judgments, signifying official authority and public legal proceedings.