Luke 23:18
But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”—
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The crowd's cry, "Away with this man!" is a stark, brutal dismissal, more than just a request for execution; it's a profound rejection of Jesus, demanding He be completely removed from their sight and lives. This is amplified by their choice to "release to us Barabbas," a murderer and insurrectionist, highlighting their willingness to embrace outright evil over the goodness Jesus embodied.
Pilate, seeking to appease the crowd during Passover, offers them a choice: release Barabbas, a notorious prisoner known for insurrection and murder, or release Jesus. The chief priests and elders have stirred the people into a frenzy, convincing them to demand Barabbas' freedom and Jesus' crucifixion, despite Pilate finding no guilt in Jesus. This sets up a stark contrast: a murderer and rebel is chosen over the innocent Son of God, highlighting the crowd's corrupted judgment and rejection of divine authority.
Imagine a massive crowd, all shouting the same thing, a deafening roar of hate. That's what we see here. What makes a crowd turn so violently?
The verse highlights a chilling unity in the crowd's demand: "But they cried out together..." This wasn't a hesitant murmur; it was a unified, overwhelming cry against Jesus. The original language emphasizes this total agreement, with the word 'together' (or 'all at once') painting a picture of a single, surging voice. This wasn't a reasoned debate, but a mob driven by emotion and manipulation, their collective voice silencing any calls for justice or reason. It shows how easily a crowd can be swayed to demand the unthinkable when led by malice.
A prisoner is offered for release. One is a murderer and insurrectionist; the other is the Son of God. Which do they choose? The answer is staggering.
The core of this moment is the stark contrast between Jesus and Barabbas. Barabbas, described in other Gospels as a murderer and someone involved in sedition, was the choice of the crowd. The phrase "Away with this man" literally means 'take him away' to be executed. They demanded the life of a guilty man, effectively choosing a criminal over Christ. This exchange highlights a profound spiritual truth: humanity, in its fallen state, often prefers darkness to light, rebellion to righteousness. They traded the source of life for a man accustomed to taking life. This decision reveals a deep-seated rejection of God's true King.
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Understand the original words
epekraxan · Greek Verb
The act of crying out loudly or screaming, often reflecting intense emotion, collective agitation, or urgent public demand.
Barabban · Aramaic/Greek Proper Noun
An Aramaic name meaning 'son of the father.' In the narrative, he is a prisoner chosen by the crowd to be freed in place of Jesus.
This verse highlights the volatile political and religious climate in Judea under Roman rule, where a governor's attempt to use a customary holiday gesture backfired due to manipulation and mob frenzy.
c. 27 BC - AD 36
Pontius Pilate Governs Judea
Pontius Pilate served as the Roman prefect (governor) of Judea during this period. His tenure was marked by tension between Roman rule and Jewish customs, often leading to unrest.
Early 1st century AD
Jewish Insurrectionary Movements
Judea experienced a rise in various groups resisting Roman authority, often involving violence and rebellion. Figures like Barabbas likely emerged from or were associated with these movements.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Festival of Passover in Jerusalem
The Passover festival was a major pilgrimage event in Jerusalem, drawing large crowds. Roman governors traditionally used this occasion to offer a prisoner's release to appease the populace.
c. AD 30-33
Pilate's Attempt to Appease Crowd
Seeking to quell the growing clamor against Jesus, Pilate offered the crowd a choice: release Jesus or Barabbas, a known insurrectionist and murderer, to honor the Passover custom.
c. AD 30-33
Crowd Demands Barabbas' Release
Incited by the chief priests and elders, the crowd vehemently demanded the release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus, effectively choosing a rebel over the Messiah.
This passage describes the same event from a different Gospel writer's perspective, highlighting the crowd's insistence on releasing Barabbas and crucifying Jesus, and Pilate's attempts to reason with them.
John 18:39-40This passage directly parallels the choice presented by Pilate, emphasizing that the crowd chose to have a murderer (Barabbas) released instead of Jesus, underscoring the shocking preference for rebellion over righteousness.
Acts 3:14Peter directly accuses the crowd, stating they 'denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you.' This provides a strong theological commentary on the moral bankruptcy of their choice in Luke 23:18.
Isaiah 53:3-7This prophetic passage foretells the suffering of the 'Servant of the Lord,' who would be despised and rejected by men, bearing our iniquities. It speaks to the deep, cosmic significance of the crowd's rejection of Jesus in favor of a sinner.
pooleLuke 23:18: "And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:"
See Poole on "Luke 23:1"
vincentLuke 23:18: "And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:"
All together (παμπληθεὶ)The whole multitude (πλῆθος) of them. Only here in New Testament.Away (αἶρε)Lit., take away. Compare Acts 21:36; Acts 22:22.
The crowd's cry, "Away with this man!" is a stark, brutal dismissal, more than just a request for execution; it's a profound rejection of Jesus, demanding He be completely removed from their sight and lives. This is amplified by their choice to "release to us Barabbas," a murderer and insurrectionist, highlighting their willingness to embrace outright evil over the goodness Jesus embodied.
Pilate, seeking to appease the crowd during Passover, offers them a choice: release Barabbas, a notorious prisoner known for insurrection and murder, or release Jesus. The chief priests and elders have stirred the people into a frenzy, convincing them to demand Barabbas' freedom and Jesus' crucifixion, despite Pilate finding no guilt in Jesus. This sets up a stark contrast: a murderer and rebel is chosen over the innocent Son of God, highlighting the crowd's corrupted judgment and rejection of divine authority.
Pilate, seeking to appease the crowd during Passover, offers them a choice: release Barabbas, a notorious prisoner known for insurrection and murder, or release Jesus. The chief priests and elders have stirred the people into a frenzy, convincing them to demand Barabbas' freedom and Jesus' crucifixion, despite Pilate finding no guilt in Jesus. This sets up a stark contrast: a murderer and rebel is chosen over the innocent Son of God, highlighting the crowd's corrupted judgment and rejection of divine authority.
"But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”—" — The crowd's cry, "Away with this man!" is a stark, brutal dismissal, more than just a request for execution; it's a profound rejection of Jesus, demanding He be completely removed from their sight an…
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