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New Century Version
Matthew 27:15
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At the festival the governor’s custom was to release to the crowd a prisoner they wanted.
Now at that feast the Gouernor was woont to release vnto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted.
Now at the Passover Feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted.
Now at the feast [of the Passover] the governor was in the habit of setting free any one prisoner whom the people chose.
Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted.
Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted.
Now it was the governor's custom at the feast to release to the crowd a prisoner of their choosing.
During Passover the governor always freed a prisoner chosen by the people.
It was the governor's custom during a festival to set free one prisoner, whomever the crowd asked for.
Now at [the] feast the governor was accustomed to release one prisoner to the crowd, whom they would.
Every year at Passover time the governor would free one prisoner—whichever one the people wanted him to free.
Nowe at the feast, the gouernour was wont to deliuer vnto the people a prisoner whom they would.
Now on every feast day it was the custom of the governor to release one prisoner to the people, anyone whom they wanted.
At every Passover Festival the Roman governor was in the habit of setting free any one prisoner the crowd asked for.
Now at each feast, the governor was accustomed to release one prisoner to the crowd—the one whom they wanted.
And at a feast, the governor customarily released one prisoner to the crowd, whom they wished.
Now at the feast the governor was wont to release unto the multitude one prisoner, whom they would.
Now at the feast it was the way for the ruler to let free to the people one prisoner, at their selection.
Now at the feast the governor used to release to the multitude one prisoner, whom they wanted.
At every festival[fn] the governor had a custom of releasing to the crowd any prisoner whom they wanted.Mark 15:6; Luke 23:17; John 18:39;">[xr]
Now at every festival the governor was accustomed to release one of the bound unto the people, whomsoever they would.
And at each festival, the president was accustomed to release to the people one prisoner, such as they preferred.
At that feast, the deputie was wont to delyuer vnto the people a prysoner, whom they woulde desire.
Now at the feast the governor was wont to release unto the multitude one prisoner, whom they would.
Now at the feast the governor used to release to the multitude one prisoner, whom they wanted.
Now at the feast the governour was wont to release to the people a prisoner, whom they would.
"Now it was the Governor's custom at the Festival to release some one prisoner, whomsoever the populace desired;
But for a solempne dai the iustice was wont to delyuere to the puple oon boundun, whom thei wolden.
Now at the feast the governor would usually release to the multitude one prisoner, whom they wanted.
Now at [that] feast, the governor was wont to release to the people a prisoner, whom they would.
During the feast the governor was accustomed to release one prisoner to the crowd, whomever they wanted.
Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39,40">[xr] Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished.
Now it was the governor's custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd—anyone they wanted.
At the special supper each year the leader of the country would always let one person who was in prison go free. It would be the one the people wanted.
Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted.
But, feast by feast, the governor had been wont to release one unto the multitude, a prisoner whom they were desiring.
Now upon the solemn day the governor was accustomed to release to the people one prisoner, whom they would.
Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted.
At that feest the debite was wonte to deliver vnto ye people a presoner whom they wolde desyer.
And at the feast the governor had been accustomed to release one to the multitude, a prisoner, whom they willed,
At that feast, the debyte was wote to delyuer a presoner fre vnto the people, whom they wolde.
Now it was customary at that feast for the governor to release a prisoner, such as the people should nominate.
It was an old custom during the Feast for the governor to pardon a single prisoner named by the crowd. At the time, they had the infamous Jesus Barabbas in prison. With the crowd before him, Pilate said, "Which prisoner do you want me to pardon: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus the so-called Christ?" He knew it was through sheer spite that they had turned Jesus over to him.
There was an old tradition during this time of the year, to release one prisoner who the crowd chose.
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Matthew 26:5, Mark 15:6, Mark 15:8, Luke 23:16, Luke 23:17, John 18:38, John 18:39, Acts 24:27, Acts 25:9
Cross-References
But the father said to his servants, ‘Hurry! Bring the best clothes and put them on him. Also, put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
"Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around wearing fancy clothes, and they love for people to greet them with respect in the marketplaces. They love to have the most important seats in the synagogues and at feasts.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Now at [that] feast,.... The Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions read, "at every feast": which looks as if the authors of these versions thought the sense was, that the following custom was used at each feast in the year, at the feasts of pentecost, and tabernacles, and passover; whereas it was only at the feast of the passover; and which is meant by the feast here, as is clear from
John 18:39. It was but once a year that this was done; at every returning passover; and so the Persic version renders it, "every year on the day of the feast"; that is, of the passover, and which was frequently called by way of emphasis, ××, "the feast":
the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. It was not a law, but a custom; it was not enjoined by the law of Moses; for they that sinned against that; died without mercy: nor is it agreeable to strict justice, that there should be such a release of criminals; nor was it a Jewish custom, as an emblem of their deliverance out of Egyptian bondage. I have not met with the least trace of any such custom of theirs at the time of the pass over in any of their writings; but it seems to be a Roman one: and from all the accounts of the evangelist, it appears to be peculiar to the Roman governor, who, either by the order of Caesar, or of himself, introduced such a custom to get the favour of the people; for it was to them the release was made, and the person, whom they pleased; and this being repeated annually for some time, was expected by them, and at last became necessary.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
See also the parallel places in Mark 15:6-14; Luke 23:17-23; John 18:39-40.
Matthew 27:15
At that feast - The feast of the Passover.
The governor was wont to release ... - that is, was âaccustomedâ to release.
From what this custom arose, or by whom it was introduced, is not known. It was probably adopted to secure popularity among the Jews, and to render the government of the Romans less odious. Any little indulgence granted to the Jews during the heavy oppression of the Romans would serve to conciliate their favor, and to keep the nation from sedition. It might happen often that when persons were arraigned before the Romans on charge of sedition, some special favorite of the people, or some leader, might be among the number. It is evident that if they had the privilege of recovering such a person, it would serve much to allay their feelings, and make tolerable the yoke under which they groaned.
Matthew 27:16
A notable prisoner - The word ânotableâ means one that is âdistinguishedâ in any way either for great virtues or great crimes.
In this place it evidently means the latter He was perhaps the leader of a band who had been guilty of sedition, and had committed murder in an insurrection, Luke 23:19.
Matthew 27:17
Whom will ye that I release ... - Pilate was satisfied of the innocence of Jesus, Luke 23:13-16
He was therefore desirous of releasing him. He expected to release one to the people. He knew that Jesus, though condemned by the chief priests, was yet popular among the people He therefore attempted in this manner to rescue him from the hands of the priests, and expected that the people would prefer Him to an odious and infamous robber and murderer. Had the people been left to themselves it would probably have been done.
Jesus, which is called Christ - That is, Jesus, who claims to be the Messiah. Pilate probably did not believe it, or care much for it. He used the name which Jesus had acquired among the people. Perhaps, also, he thought that they would be more likely to ask him to be released if he was presented to them as the Messiah. Mark Mark 15:9 adds that he asked them whether they would that he should release âthe King of the Jews?â It is probable that he asked the question in both ways. Perhaps it was several times repeated, and Matthew has recorded one way in which it was asked, and Mark another. He asked them whether they would demand him who âwas called the Christ,â expecting that they would be moved by the claims of the Messiah - claims which, when he entered Jerusalem in triumph, and in the temple, they had acknowledged. He asked them whether they would have the âKing of the Jewsâ probably to ridicule the priests who had delivered him on that charge. He did it to show the people how absurd the accusation was. There Jesus stood, apparently a poor, inoffensive, unarmed, and despised man. Herod had set him at naught and scourged him, and sent him back. The charge, therefore, of the priests, that he was a âkingâ opposed to the Roman emperor, was supremely ridiculous; and Pilate, expecting that the people would see it so, hoped also that they would ask that he might be released.
Matthew 27:18
For he knew that for envy ... - This was envy at his popularity.
He drew away the people from them. This Pilate understood, probably, from his knowledge of the pride and ambition of the rulers, and from the fact that no danger could arise from a person that appeared like Jesus. If Pilate knew this, he was bound to release him himself. As a governor and judge, he was under obligation to protect the innocent, and should, in spite of all the opposition of the Jews, at once have set him at liberty. But the Scriptures could not then have been fulfilled. It was necessary, in order that an atonement should be made. that Jesus should be condemned to die. At the same time. it shows the wisdom of the overruling providence of God, that he was condemned by a man who was satisfied of his innocence, and who proclaimed before his accusers his âfull beliefâ that there was no fault in him.
Matthew 27:19
When he was set down on the judgment-seat - Literally, âWhile he was sitting.â This message was probably received when he had resumed his place on the judgment-seat, after Jesus had been sent to Herod.
See the notes at Matthew 27:14.
His wife sent unto him - The reason why she sent to him is immediately stated - that she had a dream respecting him. We know nothing more of her. We do not know whether she had ever seen the Saviour herself, but it would seem that she was apprised of what was taking place, and probably anticipated that the affair-would involve her husband in trouble.
Have thou nothing to do ... - That is, do not condemn him. Perhaps she was afraid that the vengeance of heaven would follow her husband and family if he condemned the innocent.
That just man - The word âjust,â here, has the sense of âinnocent,â or not guilty. She might have been satisfied of his innocence from other sources as well as from the dream.
I have suffered many things ... - Dreams were considered as indications of the divine will, and among the Romans and Greeks, as well as the Jews, great reliance was placed on them. Her mind was probably agitated with the subject. She was satisfied of the innocence of Jesus; and, knowing that the Jews would make every effort to secure his condemnation, it was not unnatural that her mind should be excited during her sleep, perhaps with a frightful prospect of the judgments that would descend on the family of Pilate if Jesus was condemned. She therefore sent to him to secure, if possible, his release.
This day - It was now early in the morning. The Jewish âdayâ began at sunset, and she employed the usual language of the Jews respecting time. The dream was, in fact, in the night.
Matthew 27:20
Persuaded the multitude - The release of a prisoner was to be to the people, not to the rulers.
The rulers, therefore, in order to secure the condemnation of Jesus, urged on the people to demand Barabbas. The people were greatly under the influence of the priests. Galileans among the citizens of Jerusalem were held in contempt. The priests turned the pretensions of Jesus into ridicule. Hence, in a popular tumult, among a flexible and changing multitude, they easily excited those who, but a little before, had cried Hosanna, to cry, Crucify him.
Matthew 27:21
Whether of the twain? - Which of the two, Jesus or Barabbas?
Matthew 27:23
And the governor said, Why? - Luke informs us that Pilate put this question to them âthree times,â so anxious was he to release him.
He affirmed that he had found no cause of death in him. He said, therefore, that he would chastise him and let him go. He expected, probably, by causing him to be publicly whipped, to excite their compassion, to satisfy âthem,â and thus to evade the demands of the priests, and to set him at liberty with the consent of the people. So weak and irresolute was this Roman governor! Satisfied of his innocence, he should at once have preferred âjustice to popularity,â and acted as became a magistrate in acquitting the innocent.
Let him be crucified - See the notes at Matthew 27:39. Luke says they were instant with loud voices demanding this. They urged it. They demanded it with a popular clamor.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Matthew 27:15. The governor was wont to release — Whence this custom originated among the Jews is not known, - probably it was introduced by the Romans themselves, or by Pilate, merely to oblige the Jews, by showing them this public token of respect; but if it originated with him, he must have had the authority of Augustus; for the Roman laws never gave such discretionary power to any governor.
