Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text emphasizes that this release was a custom ("he used to release"), indicating it wasn't a one-off act of generosity but a deeply ingrained tradition Pilate was expected to uphold. This detail highlights how Pilate, while trying to navigate political pressure, was bound by established practices, making his decision to offer Jesus in exchange for Barabbas even more calculated.
Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As the Jewish leaders, having already condemned Jesus, bring Him to Pilate to secure His execution, Pilate learns of a custom where he would release a prisoner of the crowd's choosing during the Passover festival. Pilate, having found no guilt in Jesus, attempts to use this custom to set Him free, offering the crowd a choice between Jesus and a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. The crowd, incited by the chief priests, demands the release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus.
Why would a Roman governor offer a prisoner's freedom during a Jewish festival? It wasn't just about goodwill.
The Gospels mention a custom where the Roman governor would release a prisoner of the crowd's choosing during major Jewish festivals, particularly Passover.
This practice, though appearing merciful, served as a tool for Roman governors to manage public opinion and exert influence.
Pilate knew Jesus was innocent, yet he offered Him up for a crowd's decision. What was he thinking?
The passage reveals Pilate's inner conflict and his attempt to navigate a dangerous political situation.
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Pilate’s actions reveal a man caught between political expediency, a flicker of justice, and fear, ultimately failing to act decisively on behalf of truth.
The people had a choice between a murderer and the Son of God. Their decision echoes through history.
The choice presented to the crowd was a pivotal moment, exposing the spiritual state of those who rejected Jesus.
This choice reveals a stark contrast between those seeking worldly salvation and those embracing God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ.
Understand the original words
heortē · Greek Noun
A designated time of religious celebration and remembrance of God's redemptive works among His people. In the Gospels, it typically refers to the Feast of Passover.
desmios · Greek Noun
One who is held in confinement, often against their will. Biblically, it also serves as a metaphor for humanity's state under the bondage of sin and death.
This verse highlights a significant political custom of the time, demonstrating how Roman governors used such gestures to manage public opinion and maintain control, a practice that tragically intersected with the divine plan for Jesus' crucifixion.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Pilate's Custom of Releasing a Prisoner
The Roman governor Pontius Pilate followed a custom, possibly of Jewish origin or adopted for political reasons, of releasing one prisoner at the Passover feast, chosen by the crowd.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Sent to Herod Antipas
Pilate, seeking to avoid responsibility and perhaps regain favor, sent Jesus to Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, who was also in Jerusalem for the Passover.
c. 30 AD
Herod Returns Jesus to Pilate
Herod mocked Jesus and sent him back to Pilate, with no charges proven against him.
c. 30 AD
Pilate Offers Barabbas Instead of Jesus
Pilate, pressured by the chief priests and the crowd, offered them the choice to release either Jesus or Barabbas, a notorious prisoner involved in an insurrection and murder.
c. 30 AD
Crowd Demands Barabbas and Crucifixion of Jesus
Instigated by the chief priests, the crowd demanded the release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus.
This passage from Matthew also describes the custom of releasing a prisoner at the feast and directly parallels the request made by the crowd, highlighting the contrast between Barabbas and Jesus.
Luke 23:17Luke's Gospel recounts the same event, emphasizing the governor's desire to appease the people by releasing a prisoner at the feast, underscoring the political maneuvering involved.
John 18:39John's Gospel directly quotes Pilate acknowledging this custom to the Jewish leaders, providing further context for the choice being presented to the crowd.
Exodus 12:14This Old Testament passage describes the institution of the Passover feast, commemorating Israel's liberation from slavery in Egypt, offering a backdrop to the crowd's desire for freedom (even for a criminal) during a feast of liberation.
Isaiah 53:7This prophetic passage describes the suffering servant being led like a lamb to the slaughter, silently enduring, which strongly parallels Jesus' silent acceptance of the crowd's choice of Barabbas over him.
pulpitMark 15:6: "Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired."
Verse 6. - St. Mark omits here what took place next in the order of events, namely, the sending of our Lord by Pilate to Herod (Luke 23:5). This was Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee; and Pilate, apparently convinced of our Lord's innocence, hoped to escape the responsibility of condemning an innocent man, by handing him over to Herod; for Pilate had heard that our Lord was a Galilean. Moreover, he hoped t…
cambridgeMark 15:6: "Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired."
6 . Now at that feast ] Rather, at festival time. There is no article in the Greek (or in Luke 23:17 ; Matthew 27:15 ), and the apparent limitation of the custom to the Feast of the Passover is not required by the original words, or by the parallel in John 18:39 . It seems to have been a custom, the origin of which is unknown, to release to the people on the occasion of the Passover and other great Feast…
The text emphasizes that this release was a custom ("he used to release"), indicating it wasn't a one-off act of generosity but a deeply ingrained tradition Pilate was expected to uphold. This detail highlights how Pilate, while trying to navigate political pressure, was bound by established practices, making his decision to offer Jesus in exchange for Barabbas even more calculated.
As the Jewish leaders, having already condemned Jesus, bring Him to Pilate to secure His execution, Pilate learns of a custom where he would release a prisoner of the crowd's choosing during the Passover festival. Pilate, having found no guilt in Jesus, attempts to use this custom to set Him free, offering the crowd a choice between Jesus and a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. The crowd, incited by the chief priests, demands the release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus.
As the Jewish leaders, having already condemned Jesus, bring Him to Pilate to secure His execution, Pilate learns of a custom where he would release a prisoner of the crowd's choosing during the Passover festival. Pilate, having found no guilt in Jesus, attempts to use this custom to set Him free, offering the crowd a choice between Jesus and a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. The crowd, incited by the chief priests, demands the release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus.
"Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked." — The text emphasizes that this release was a custom ("he used to release"), indicating it wasn't a one-off act of generosity but a deeply ingrained tradition Pilate was expected to uphold. This deta…
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Last reviewed October 2026