But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The crowd’s desperate cry, "Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas," reveals a shocking preference. They demand the life of a known insurrectionist and murderer, Barabbas, over Jesus, whom Pilate had already declared innocent. This highlights how readily people can choose a familiar evil or a political rebel over divine truth and peace.
But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Pilate, seeking a way to appease the crowd during the Passover festival, offers to release one prisoner. The crowd, influenced by the chief priests and elders, demands the release of Barabbas, a known insurrectionist and murderer, while simultaneously crying out for Jesus to be taken away and executed. This exchange reveals the people's preference for a guilty criminal over the innocent Son of God.
Why would a crowd, especially during a religious festival, demand the release of a murderer over Jesus? This moment reveals a dangerous exchange.
The scene in Luke 23:18 is charged with tension. Pilate, likely trying to appease the crowd during Passover and knowing Jesus was innocent, offered a choice: release Barabbas or Jesus.
A Corrupted Choice
Pilate's Weakness
The name of the man chosen over Jesus is incredibly significant. What does 'Barabbas' tell us about this choice?
The name 'Barabbas' itself carries profound meaning when contrasted with Jesus.
Son of the Father vs. Son of God
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A Shadow of Redemption
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.
stasin · Greek Noun
A violent uprising against established authority or government; in the biblical context, it refers to organized rebellion involving physical force.
phonou · Greek Noun
The unlawful, intentional taking of a human life; biblically, it is regarded as a grave sin against God, who is the author of life.
The choice between Jesus and Barabbas highlights a stark contrast: a non-violent healer versus a violent insurrectionist. The crowd's choice reveals their willingness to free a known criminal and murderer over Jesus, driven by the instigation of the religious elite.
c. 27-30 AD
Jesus' Ministry and Popularity
Jesus' teachings and miracles gain him a large following, drawing the attention and ire of religious leaders.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Arrest and Trial
Jesus is arrested in Jerusalem during Passover, tried by Jewish leaders, and then brought before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Pilate's Customary Release
The Roman governor Pilate had a custom during the Passover festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd.
c. 30 AD
Barabbas Implicated in Sedition and Murder
Barabbas was a notorious prisoner known for his involvement in a violent insurrection and for committing murder.
c. 30 AD
Crowd Demands Jesus' Crucifixion
Despite Pilate finding no guilt in Jesus, the crowd, stirred by the religious leaders, demands Jesus' crucifixion and Barabbas' release.
This passage provides a fuller account of the chief priests and elders instigating the crowd to demand Barabbas' release and Jesus' crucifixion, highlighting the deliberate manipulation that led to this moment.
John 18:39-40This verse shows Pilate's attempt to use the Passover custom of releasing a prisoner to save Jesus, revealing the crowd's choice to prioritize a notorious criminal over the Son of God.
Acts 3:13-14Peter's sermon directly addresses the crowd's choice, contrasting their rejection of Jesus with their demand for the release of a 'murderer,' underscoring the gravity of their decision.
Romans 8:32This verse offers a powerful theological parallel, showing that God's ultimate plan involved 'giving up' His Son, which tragically mirrors the crowd's demand to 'give up' Jesus for a criminal.
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 desperate cry, "Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas," reveals a shocking preference. They demand the life of a known insurrectionist and murderer, Barabbas, over Jesus, whom Pilate had already declared innocent. This highlights how readily people can choose a familiar evil or a political rebel over divine truth and peace.
Pilate, seeking a way to appease the crowd during the Passover festival, offers to release one prisoner. The crowd, influenced by the chief priests and elders, demands the release of Barabbas, a known insurrectionist and murderer, while simultaneously crying out for Jesus to be taken away and executed. This exchange reveals the people's preference for a guilty criminal over the innocent Son of God.
Pilate, seeking a way to appease the crowd during the Passover festival, offers to release one prisoner. The crowd, influenced by the chief priests and elders, demands the release of Barabbas, a known insurrectionist and murderer, while simultaneously crying out for Jesus to be taken away and executed. This exchange reveals the people's preference for a guilty criminal over the innocent Son of God.
"But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder." — The crowd’s desperate cry, "Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas," reveals a shocking preference. They demand the life of a known insurrectionist and murderer, Barabbas, over Jesus, whom Pi…
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Last reviewed October 2026