Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This custom wasn't a biblical ordinance, but a pragmatic Roman policy to appease the populace during Passover. It highlights how political expediency, even rooted in an act of "mercy," was twisted by the religious leaders and crowd to facilitate Jesus' crucifixion, a profound irony given the feast's meaning.
Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As the Passover feast arrives, Pilate, the Roman governor, is accustomed to releasing a prisoner of the crowd's choosing in an effort to appease them. However, the chief priests and elders, driven by envy, have deliberately incited the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas, a notorious insurrectionist and murderer, while pushing for Jesus' crucifixion. Pilate, despite knowing Jesus' innocence and even receiving a warning from his wife, finds himself caught in this volatile situation, pressured by the crowd's clamor and the priests' manipulation.
Why did Pilate, a Roman governor, participate in releasing a prisoner at Passover? It wasn't just a nice gesture.
The custom of releasing a prisoner during the Passover feast was not a divine mandate but a political strategy. Roman governors, seeking to maintain peace and reduce the chances of sedition among the Jewish population, adopted this practice.
The Passover custom was meant to offer release, but in this instance, it became a tool to condemn the innocent.
What should have been an act of justice and mercy was perverted by the religious leaders' envy and the crowd's manipulated fear. Pilate, though aware of Jesus' innocence, was pressured into offering a choice that tragically exposed the nation's spiritual blindness.
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Understand the original words
heortē · Greek Noun
A recurring holy time established by God for the Israelites to commemorate specific historical redemptive acts and to celebrate covenant faithfulness.
desmios · Greek Noun
A person held in confinement or captivity, often restricted from freedom; biblically, it also functions as a metaphor for those bound by sin or spiritual oppression.
This custom, likely a political maneuver by the Romans, highlights how a gesture intended for appeasement tragically became the very mechanism used to demand Jesus' death, underscoring the volatile political climate and the manipulation of popular sentiment.
c. 27 BC - AD 37
Pilate Appointed Prefect of Judea
Pontius Pilate, a Roman knight, was appointed prefect (governor) of Judea by Emperor Tiberius, ruling with considerable autonomy.
Early 1st century AD
Roman Passover Custom Established
The Romans, to gain favor and quell potential unrest, likely established a custom of releasing a prisoner at Passover. This practice aimed to appease the Jewish population during a time of heightened nationalistic fervor.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
During his public ministry, Jesus' growing popularity and claims led to conflict with the religious elite, culminating in his arrest and trial.
Passover Feast, c. AD 30-33— this verse
Pilate Offers Prisoner Release
Before the Passover crowd, Pilate, aware of the animosity from the chief priests, offered them a choice: release Jesus or Barabbas, a notorious prisoner, following the established custom.
Passover Feast, c. AD 30-33
Crowd Demands Barabbas
Influenced by the chief priests and elders, the crowd chose to have Barabbas released and Jesus crucified, rejecting their Messiah.
This passage directly parallels Matthew 27:15, showing Pilate asking the crowd at Passover which prisoner they wanted released, highlighting the same custom and choice between Jesus and Barabbas.
Luke 23:17Luke's account also describes the custom of releasing a prisoner at the Passover feast and presents the same choice between Jesus and Barabbas, reinforcing the narrative and the crowd's decision.
Exodus 12:14This Old Testament passage describes the institution of the Passover, which the custom in Matthew 27:15 was tied to, symbolizing remembrance and deliverance, a theme starkly contrasted by the crowd's choice.
Isaiah 53:7This prophecy describes the Suffering Servant being led like a lamb to the slaughter, silent and offering no defense, which deeply resonates with Jesus' silent bearing of accusations before Pilate and the crowd's unjust demand for his crucifixion.
1 Corinthians 1:23This passage speaks of Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, which directly connects to the incomprehensible decision of the Passover crowd to choose a murderer (Barabbas) over Christ, the King of Kings.
henryMatthew 27:11-25: "And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest."
27:11-25 Having no malice against Jesus, Pilate urged him to clear himself, and laboured to get him discharged. The message from his wife was a warning. God has many ways of giving checks to sinners, in their sinful pursuits, and it is a great mercy to have such checks from Providence, from faithful friends, and from our own conscience…
barnesMatthew 27:15: "Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would."
See also the parallel places in Mark 15:6-14 ; Luke 23:17-23 ; John 18:39-40 . Matthew 27:15 At that feast - The feast of the Passover. The governor was wont to release ... - that is, was "accustomed" to release. From what this custom arose, or by whom it was introduced, is not known. It was probably adopted to secure popularity among the Jews, and to render the government of the Rom…
This custom wasn't a biblical ordinance, but a pragmatic Roman policy to appease the populace during Passover. It highlights how political expediency, even rooted in an act of "mercy," was twisted by the religious leaders and crowd to facilitate Jesus' crucifixion, a profound irony given the feast's meaning.
As the Passover feast arrives, Pilate, the Roman governor, is accustomed to releasing a prisoner of the crowd's choosing in an effort to appease them. However, the chief priests and elders, driven by envy, have deliberately incited the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas, a notorious insurrectionist and murderer, while pushing for Jesus' crucifixion. Pilate, despite knowing Jesus' innocence and even receiving a warning from his wife, finds himself caught in this volatile situation, pressured by the crowd's clamor and the priests' manipulation.
As the Passover feast arrives, Pilate, the Roman governor, is accustomed to releasing a prisoner of the crowd's choosing in an effort to appease them. However, the chief priests and elders, driven by envy, have deliberately incited the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas, a notorious insurrectionist and murderer, while pushing for Jesus' crucifixion. Pilate, despite knowing Jesus' innocence and even receiving a warning from his wife, finds himself caught in this volatile situation, pressured by the crowd's clamor and the priests' manipulation.
"Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted." — This custom wasn't a biblical ordinance, but a pragmatic Roman policy to appease the populace during Passover. It highlights how political expediency, even rooted in an act of "mercy," was twisted by…
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Last reviewed October 2026