And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
Parallel translations
- WEB 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 15:7And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.
- Luke 23:18–19And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:
- John 18:40Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
- Luke 23:25And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
- Acts 3:14But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
- Rom 1:32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
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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
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