He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights a chilling exchange: the crowd clamored for Barabbas, a notorious criminal, and got him, while simultaneously demanding the crucifixion of Jesus. This wasn't just a choice between two men; it was a public abdication of justice, where the will of the mob trumped truth and innocence, showing how easily crowds can condemn the righteous.
He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Pilate, knowing Jesus was innocent but under immense pressure from the crowd and religious leaders, offers a grim choice: release either Jesus or Barabbas, a known criminal imprisoned for insurrection and murder. The crowd clamors for Barabbas's freedom and Jesus's crucifixion, leading Pilate to wash his hands of the decision, ultimately handing Jesus over to their will.
In a pivotal moment, Pilate offers a choice: a known criminal or an innocent King. The crowd's demand reveals a deep-seated rejection.
This verse highlights an astonishing act of injustice. Pilate, knowing Jesus was innocent, gives the crowd what they want.
A Calculated Decision
Pilate, caught between his conscience and the crowd's fury, chooses appeasement. He releases Barabbas, a man imprisoned for 'sedition and murder' – serious crimes against Roman authority. This wasn't a minor offense; Barabbas was a genuine threat.
The Unfathomable Exchange
But the true weight of this moment is in who is not released. Jesus, the Son of God, is handed over 'to their will.' This means Pilate surrendered Him to the crowd's power and desires, setting the stage for the brutal mockery and crucifixion that followed. It’s a stark contrast: a guilty man freed, an innocent Man condemned.
The people's demand for Barabbas and the rejection of Jesus wasn't just a political decision; it carried a profound, self-inflicted curse.
The crowd's choice to free Barabbas and condemn Jesus is chillingly significant. They actively desired the release of a murderer and insisted on the crucifixion of the innocent.
The Price of Rebellion
Barabbas was imprisoned for 'sedition and murder.' By asking for him, the crowd was essentially choosing rebellion and violence over peace and righteousness embodied in Jesus.
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A Self-Pronounced Judgment
Their cry, 'His blood be on us and on our children!' (Matthew 27:25), is a terrifying imprecation. It signifies their complete rejection of Jesus and their willingness to bear the consequences. It’s a stark reminder that choices have eternal weight, and rejecting God's Anointed comes at a devastating cost.
Pilate knew Jesus was innocent, yet he washed his hands of the decision. His compromise led to the unjust death of the Son of God.
Pilate's actions reveal the destructive nature of succumbing to fear and popular pressure.
Acknowledging Innocence
Luke doesn't detail Pilate's hand-washing ceremony as Matthew does, but the core truth remains: Pilate knew Jesus was innocent. He declared it implicitly by offering a choice between a guilty man and an innocent one.
Surrendering Authority
Despite his knowledge, Pilate delivered Jesus 'to their will.' This was a profound failure of leadership and justice. He abdicated his responsibility to protect the innocent, choosing instead to maintain peace with the crowd and avoid trouble for himself. His compromise, however, did not remove guilt; it merely shifted the responsibility, ultimately to him and the crowd, for an act of cosmic injustice.
Understand the original words
apelyse · Greek Verb
The act of setting someone free from confinement, bondage, or debt. In the Gospels, it is often used in the context of legal acquittal or the release of a prisoner.
stasin · Greek Noun
A violent uprising or rebellion against an established authority or government. It implies sedition and active defiance against the governing order.
phonon · Greek Noun
The intentional and unlawful killing of another human being. It is recognized in Scripture as a grave sin and a violation of the sanctity of life given by God.
paredōken · Greek Verb
To hand over or surrender someone or something into the power or authority of another. In the passion narratives, it carries the theological weight of Jesus being turned over to the authorities for suffering and death.
The choice between Barabbas, a rebel and murderer, and Jesus highlights a profound rejection of innocence and justice. Pilate's washing of his hands, while a symbolic gesture, underscores his ultimate failure to uphold righteousness under political pressure, setting the stage for the tragic events to follow.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry and Growing Opposition
Jesus' public ministry, miracles, and teachings gained a large following but also drew the ire of religious and political leaders.
Passover Week, AD 30-33
Jesus' Arrest and Trials
Jesus is arrested after the Last Supper, tried by the Sanhedrin, and then brought before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor.
Passover Week, AD 30-33— this verse
Pilate's Dilemma
Pilate faces immense pressure from the Jewish crowd and leaders to condemn Jesus, a man he finds no guilt in. He attempts to appease them by offering a choice between Jesus and Barabbas.
Passover Week, AD 30-33
The Crowd Demands Barabbas
The crowd, incited by the chief priests and elders, clamors for the release of Barabbas, a known insurrectionist and murderer, and the crucifixion of Jesus.
Passover Week, AD 30-33
Jesus is Scourged and Delivered
Pilate yields to the pressure, releases Barabbas, has Jesus scourged, and hands him over to be crucified, signifying his condemnation.
AD 70
Destruction of Jerusalem
The Romans, led by Titus, destroy Jerusalem and the Second Temple. This event is seen by many Christians as the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy about the coming judgment on the nation, which began with their rejection of him.
This passage parallels Luke's account, detailing Pilate's decision to release Barabbas, a prisoner of insurrection and murder, and hand Jesus over to be crucified, highlighting the crowd's choice and Pilate's yielding.
Mark 15:11-15Mark also records the choice Pilate presented to the crowd: Jesus or Barabbas, emphasizing the chief priests' instigation to have Barabbas released and Jesus condemned, reinforcing the theme of a popular will overriding justice.
John 18:39-40John's Gospel presents Pilate's attempt to placate the crowd by offering to release a prisoner, as was customary during Passover, and notes their demand for a murderer (Barabbas) and the rejection of Jesus, underscoring the deliberate choice made by the people.
Isaiah 53:7This prophetic passage describes the suffering servant being led like a lamb to the slaughter, oppressed and afflicted, which powerfully reflects the unjust handing over of Jesus in Luke 23:25, despite his innocence.
Acts 3:14Peter directly confronts the crowd, stating they 'denied the holy and righteous one, and asked for a murderer to be granted to them,' which serves as a direct commentary on the event in Luke 23:25, exposing the moral failure of their choice.
pooleLuke 23:25: "And 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."
See Poole on "Luke 23:1"
calvinLuke 23:24-32: "And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required."
- But Pilate, perceiving that he gained nothing by it, but that the tumult became the greater, took water, and washed his hands before the people, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man: see you to it. 25. And the whole people, answering, said, His blood be on us and on our children. 26. Then he released to them Barabbas, and after having scourged Jesus, he delivered him up to be crucified. 27. The…
The verse highlights a chilling exchange: the crowd clamored for Barabbas, a notorious criminal, and got him, while simultaneously demanding the crucifixion of Jesus. This wasn't just a choice between two men; it was a public abdication of justice, where the will of the mob trumped truth and innocence, showing how easily crowds can condemn the righteous.
Pilate, knowing Jesus was innocent but under immense pressure from the crowd and religious leaders, offers a grim choice: release either Jesus or Barabbas, a known criminal imprisoned for insurrection and murder. The crowd clamors for Barabbas's freedom and Jesus's crucifixion, leading Pilate to wash his hands of the decision, ultimately handing Jesus over to their will.
Pilate, knowing Jesus was innocent but under immense pressure from the crowd and religious leaders, offers a grim choice: release either Jesus or Barabbas, a known criminal imprisoned for insurrection and murder. The crowd clamors for Barabbas's freedom and Jesus's crucifixion, leading Pilate to wash his hands of the decision, ultimately handing Jesus over to their will.
"He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will." — The verse highlights a chilling exchange: the crowd clamored for Barabbas, a notorious criminal, and got him, while simultaneously demanding the crucifixion of Jesus. This wasn't just a choice betwee…
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Last reviewed October 2026