Now it was the governor’s custom at the feast to release to the crowd a prisoner of their choosing.
Parallel translations
- WEB Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the multitude one prisoner, whom they desired.
- KJV Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
- NKJV Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished.
- NASB Now at the Passover Feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted.
- NLT Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd—anyone they wanted.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Pilate notes the custom of releasing one prisoner at the feast by popular request. This sets up his attempt to free Jesus.
Overview
Matthew records a Passover custom by which the governor freed a prisoner the crowd chose. Pilate seizes on this practice as a possible way to release Jesus while keeping peace. The custom becomes the stage on which the crowd's fateful choice between Jesus and Barabbas will be made.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Matt 26:5“But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”
- John 18:38–40“What is truth?” Pilate asked. And having said this, he went out again to the Jews and told them, “I find no basis for a charge against Him.
- John 19:16Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified, and the soldiers took Him away.
- Luke 23:16Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.”
- Acts 25:9But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to stand trial before me on these charges?”
- Acts 24:27After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
- Mark 15:6–15Now it was Pilate’s custom at the feast to release to the people a prisoner of their choosing.
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 27:15 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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