6Now at the feast he was releasing to them one prisoner, whom they were requesting. [15:7] And there was the one being named Barabbas, bound with the rebels who had committed murder in the insurrection. [15:8] And the crowd, having come up, began to beg him, even as he was doing for them. [15:9] But Pilate answered them, saying, "Do you wish that I release to you the King of the Jews?" [15:10] For he was aware that the chief priests had delivered him up because of envy. [15:11] But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that rather he might release Barabbas to them.
MRK 15:6-11
The Crowd Chooses Barabbas
In the world it was spoken into
In the Roman practice of releasing a prisoner during festivals, Pilate’s offer to release either Barabbas or Jesus would have been understood as a gesture of imperial clemency, a tool to maintain order and goodwill among the populace. Barabbas, described as a (insurrectionist), was likely part of a group resisting Roman rule, a common occurrence in Judea under Roman occupation. The crowd’s choice of Barabbas over Jesus reflects the volatile political climate, where nationalist fervor often clashed with Roman authority. Pilate’s awareness of the chief priests’ (envy) points to the internal Jewish power struggles, particularly between the priestly elite and Jesus, who challenged their authority. The chief priests’ deliberate (stirring up) of the crowd underscores their manipulation of public sentiment to achieve their ends. For the Jewish audience, this scene would highlight the tension between Roman rule, Jewish leadership, and the messianic expectations surrounding Jesus.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
MRK 15:6
- KJV
- Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.
- BSB
- Now it was Pilateʼs custom at the feast to release to the people a prisoner of their choosing.
- Koinōnos
- Now at the feast he was releasing to them one prisoner, whom they were requesting.
MRK 15:7
- KJV
- And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.
- BSB
- And a man named Barabbas was imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection.
- Koinōnos
- And there was the one being named Barabbas, bound with the rebels who had committed murder in the insurrection.
MRK 15:8
- KJV
- And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.
- BSB
- So the crowd went up and began asking Pilate to keep his custom.
- Koinōnos
- And the crowd, having come up, began to beg him, even as he was doing for them.
MRK 15:9
- KJV
- But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
- BSB
- “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” Pilate asked.
- Koinōnos
- But Pilate answered them, saying, "Do you wish that I release to you the King of the Jews?
MRK 15:10
- KJV
- For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.
- BSB
- For he knew it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over.
- Koinōnos
- For he was aware that the chief priests had delivered him up because of envy.
MRK 15:11
- KJV
- But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.
- BSB
- But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas to them instead.
- Koinōnos
- But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that rather he might release Barabbas to them.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, AntiquitiesAntiquities 18.3.3
›Josephus, Antiquities Antiquities 18.3.3
“And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross”
Cited to ground: when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross
Translator's notes
MRK 15:7
- rebels:The word translated 'rebels' here refers to those who actively participate in an uprising or riot, emphasizing their role as fellow instigators of disorder.
- insurrection:The term used here for 'insurrection' describes a standing up or uprising, often implying a violent revolt or civil unrest, rather than just a general disagreement.
MRK 15:10
- envy:The word translated 'envy' carries a strong sense of ill-will or malice, specifically a resentful displeasure at the good fortune or success of others.
MRK 15:11
- stirred up:The word translated 'stirred up' means to incite or agitate, suggesting a deliberate act of rousing people to action, often with negative connotations.