The chief priests didn't just suggest releasing Barabbas; they actively stirred up the crowd, actively inciting their passions to demand the release of a known criminal over Jesus. This wasn't a passive choice by the people, but a deliberate manipulation by their religious leaders.
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As morning breaks, the chief priests and religious leaders present Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor, accusing him of sedition. Pilate, seeing through their envy and recognizing Jesus' innocence, attempts to appease the crowd by offering them a choice between Jesus and a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. The chief priests, however, actively stir up the crowd, manipulating them to demand Barabbas's release and Jesus' crucifixion.
Why did the chief priests need to 'stir up' the crowd? What does this tell us about their strategy and the people's initial inclination?
The chief priests didn't just ask the crowd; they actively 'stirred them up' (ἀνέσεισαν). This Greek word suggests a vigorous shaking, a riling up of emotions and passions. It implies they didn't simply present a choice, but rather worked to incite a specific, hostile reaction against Jesus.
Barabbas and Jesus were presented as opposing choices. What did each represent, and why did the crowd ultimately reject the One who offered true freedom?
Ask a follow-up
This moment at the Passover feast presented a stark, symbolic choice to the crowd, orchestrated by the chief priests: Jesus, the innocent Son of God, or Barabbas, a notorious criminal.
Barabbas: The Insurgent
Jesus: The King of Truth
The Tragic Rejection
The crowd, incited by the priests, tragically chose the path of rebellion and violence over the path of truth and redemption. They opted for a deliverer who offered worldly freedom but ultimately led to destruction, rejecting the one who offered true, eternal freedom at the cost of His own life.
Understand the original words
archiereus · Greek Noun
A member of the highest priestly order in Judaism, often holding significant political and religious influence in the Sanhedrin. They were the primary religious leaders responsible for overseeing the temple and its sacrifices, and they played a key role in the trials of Jesus.
Barabbas · Greek Proper Noun
A common Aramaic name meaning 'son of the father.' In this context, he is a prisoner released by Pilate in exchange for Jesus, serving as a substitute whose freedom is bought by the condemnation of the innocent Christ.
basileus · Greek Noun
A royal title denoting one who possesses sovereign authority over Israel. Biblically, it reaches its fullness in the Messiah, the descendant of David, who fulfills the promise of an eternal kingdom.
stauroō · Greek Verb
A method of execution used by the Romans, characterized by extreme physical suffering, public humiliation, and death upon a wooden cross. Theologically, it is the means by which Christ bore the curse of sin and achieved reconciliation between God and humanity.
kakos · Greek Adjective/Noun
A moral or ethical wrong, wickedness, or injury. In a biblical sense, it signifies a departure from the standard of God’s holiness and righteousness, often resulting in harmful consequences to self or others.
phragelloō · Greek Verb
A severe punishment involving a whip made of leather thongs embedded with metal or bone, used by the Romans to weaken a prisoner before execution. It resulted in intense pain and physical trauma.
paradidōmi · Greek Verb
To hand over, betray, or commit someone into the power or authority of another. In the context of Christ’s Passion, it signifies the act of God and human authorities relinquishing Jesus to the hands of those who would execute him.
The choice presented in this verse wasn't just about two men; it was a pivotal moment where religious leaders manipulated public opinion, leading the crowds to reject their prophesied King in favor of a known criminal. This sets the stage for the intense conflict and persecution that would follow for Jesus' followers.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus' ministry of teaching, healing, and proclaiming the Kingdom of God gains popularity, attracting large crowds and drawing the ire of religious authorities.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Arrest and Trial
Jesus is arrested in Jerusalem after the Last Supper, tried by the Sanhedrin, and then handed over to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate.
c. AD 30— this verse
Pilate's Consultation and Barabbas
Pilate, seeking to appease the crowd during the Passover festival, offers them a choice between releasing Jesus or a notorious prisoner named Barabbas.
c. AD 30
The Crowd's Decision
Incited by the chief priests, the crowd demands the release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus, thereby rejecting their Messiah.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Crucifixion
Jesus is scourged and then crucified outside Jerusalem, fulfilling prophecies and His own predictions.
c. AD 33
The Stoning of Stephen
Early Christian persecution intensifies with the stoning of Stephen, a Hellenistic Jew and disciple of Jesus, marking a turning point in the conflict between the nascent church and Jewish authorities.
AD 66-73
The First Jewish-Roman War
The rejection of Jesus as King leads to a devastating war between Jewish rebels and the Roman Empire, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.
This passage parallels Mark 15, detailing the same custom of releasing a prisoner and the crowd's choice to free Barabbas over Jesus, emphasizing the crowd's violent insistence on Jesus' crucifixion.
Luke 23:13-25Luke also recounts the custom of releasing a prisoner and the chief priests' manipulation of the crowd, offering a slightly different perspective on Pilate's internal struggle and his attempt to appease the people by flogging Jesus first.
John 18:39-40Here, Pilate directly presents the choice between Jesus and Barabbas to the crowd, highlighting the contrast between Jesus, who is presented as their 'King,' and Barabbas, who is described as a 'robber,' further underscoring the crowd's rejection of Jesus.
Acts 3:13-14This passage directly references the crowd's rejection of Jesus in favor of Barabbas, calling Jesus the 'Holy and Righteous One' whom they denied and asked to be released, while preferring a murderer.
vincentMark 15:11: "But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them."
Moved (ἀνέσεισαν)A feeble translation. Σείω is to shake. Hence σεισμός, an earthquake. See on Mark 13:7. Better as Rev., stirred up. Wyc., The bishops stirred the company of the people.
expositorsMark 15:1-20: "And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate."
Chapter 15CHAPTER 15:1-20 (Mark 15:1-20)PILATE "And straightway in the morning the chief priests with the elders and scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation, and bound Jesus, and carried Him away, and delivered Him up to Pilate." ". . . And they lead Him out to crucify Him." Mark 15…
The chief priests didn't just suggest releasing Barabbas; they actively stirred up the crowd, actively inciting their passions to demand the release of a known criminal over Jesus. This wasn't a passive choice by the people, but a deliberate manipulation by their religious leaders.
As morning breaks, the chief priests and religious leaders present Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor, accusing him of sedition. Pilate, seeing through their envy and recognizing Jesus' innocence, attempts to appease the crowd by offering them a choice between Jesus and a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. The chief priests, however, actively stir up the crowd, manipulating them to demand Barabbas's release and Jesus' crucifixion.
As morning breaks, the chief priests and religious leaders present Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor, accusing him of sedition. Pilate, seeing through their envy and recognizing Jesus' innocence, attempts to appease the crowd by offering them a choice between Jesus and a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. The chief priests, however, actively stir up the crowd, manipulating them to demand Barabbas's release and Jesus' crucifixion.
"But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” And Pilate…" — The chief priests didn't just suggest releasing Barabbas; they actively stirred up the crowd, actively inciting their passions to demand the release of a known criminal over Jesus. This wasn't a pa…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
