They had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
Parallel translations
- KJV And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
- BSB At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner named Barabbas.
- NKJV And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
- NASB And at that time they were holding a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
- NLT This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named Barabbas.
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
A notorious prisoner named Barabbas was being held at the time. He becomes the alternative the crowd may choose.
Overview
Matthew introduces Barabbas, a well-known prisoner described elsewhere as guilty of insurrection and murder. His presence offers Pilate a contrast he expects will favor Jesus. The grim irony is that the crowd will prefer a violent criminal to the innocent Son of God, foreshadowing the great exchange of the gospel.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Mark 15:7There was one called Barabbas, bound with his fellow insurgents, men who in the insurrection had committed murder.
- Luke 23:18–19But they all cried out together, saying, “Away with this man! Release to us Barabbas!” —
- John 18:40Then they all shouted again, saying, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.
- Luke 23:25He released him who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus up to their will.
- Acts 3:14But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
- Rom 1:32who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 27:16 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.