Matthew 27:15-26

What does Matthew 27:15-26 mean?

This verse highlights a custom that sounds like a gesture of good will, but it was actually a political tool of the Roman governors to appease the populace and prevent unrest, especially during a highly charged religious festival. The real kicker is that Pilate chose to offer the crowd a choice between Jesus and Barabbas, a notorious criminal, knowing their envy would likely lead them to choose the prisoner over the innocent King.

Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

English Standard Version (ESV)

What Matthew 27:15-26 means

This verse is set during Jesus' trial before Pilate, the Roman governor, with the Passover feast in full swing. Pilate, aware of the crowd's frenzy and under pressure from the religious leaders, uses a customary act of leniency—releasing a prisoner to the people—as a last-ditch effort to save Jesus. The surrounding narrative details the crowd's choice of the notorious criminal Barabbas over Jesus, highlighting their rejection of the innocent Savior for a known rebel.

A Popular Custom with a Dark Purpose

Why would a governor release a prisoner during a religious festival? This custom, meant to appease the people, became a tool to manipulate justice.

The Roman governor, likely Pilate, was accustomed to releasing a prisoner during the Passover feast. This wasn't a divine command, but a political strategy.

Political Ploy

The Romans, ruling over a restless Jewish population, used this custom to gain favor and prevent sedition.
By granting this 'indulgence,' they hoped to make their heavy-handed rule more palatable.

A Twisted Tradition

While seemingly gracious, this practice ultimately obstructed justice. It offered a 'get out of jail free' card based on popular whim rather than legal merit.
It created a volatile scenario where the crowd's desires, easily swayed, could dictate freedom or condemnation.

Barabbas vs. Jesus: A Deliberate Contrast

Pilate presented a choice between a notorious criminal and Jesus. What does this stark contrast reveal about the leaders' motives and the crowd's decision?

Pilate, well aware of Jesus' innocence and the chief priests' envy, deliberately offered the crowd a choice between Barabbas and Jesus.

Pilate's Strategy

Ask a follow-up

Ask Sola about this verse

This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.

What Matthew 27:15-26 means

The original words in Matthew 27:15-26

feastἑορτή

heortē · Greek Noun

A recurring holy time established by God for the Israelites to commemorate specific historical redemptive acts and to celebrate covenant faithfulness.

prisonerδέσμιος

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.

prisonerδέσμιος

desmios · Greek Noun

A person held in custody by legal authority, often awaiting trial or punishment. Biblically, it can also metaphorically describe one bound by sin or spiritual captivity.

ChristΧριστός

Christos · Greek Noun

The title 'Christ' is the Greek translation of the Hebrew 'Messiah' (Mashiach), meaning 'the Anointed One.' It refers to the one chosen and empowered by God to be the Savior, Prophet, Priest, and King of His people.

envyφθόνος

phthonos · Greek Noun

A painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another, often leading to malice or hostility. In Scripture, it is listed as a work of the flesh and is consistently condemned as destructive.

judgment seatβῆμα

bēma · Greek Noun

A position of authority held by a magistrate or judge where official judicial verdicts are rendered. It symbolizes the exercise of human or divine power to execute justice or judgment.

righteousδίκαιος

dikaios · Greek Adjective

Refers to a person who is morally upright, walking in accordance with God's law and will. In an evangelical sense, it acknowledges one who is blameless in conduct before God and men, though true righteousness ultimately comes through faith in God.

chief priestsἀρχιερεύς

archiereus · Greek Noun

The leaders of the Jewish religious establishment, responsible for temple worship and interpreting the Law. They held significant political and social influence and were the primary instigators in the legal pursuit of Jesus.

eldersπρεσβύτερος

presbyteros · Greek Noun

The leaders of the people who held authority in matters of community governance and religious tradition. They were integral to the judicial councils that opposed Jesus' ministry.

destroyἀπόλλυμι

apollymi · Greek Verb

To ruin, kill, or bring to an end. Biblically, it often refers to physical death or the spiritual ruin of one's purpose or soul, specifically used here to describe the desire of Jesus' enemies to end His earthly ministry.

governorἡγεμών

hēgemōn · Greek Noun

A title used for regional Roman officials overseeing territories not fully integrated into provinces, reflecting legal and administrative authority.

BarabbasΒαραββᾶς

Barabbas · Greek (derived from Aramaic) Noun

The personal name of the individual released in place of Jesus; literally means 'son of the father,' carrying deep ironic significance as the crowd rejects the true Son of the Father for a human substitute.

JesusἸησοῦς

Iēsous · Greek (derived from Hebrew) Noun

The central figure of the Gospel; the name means 'YHWH is salvation' and is paired here with the title 'Christ' (Messiah).

ChristΧριστός

Christos · Greek Noun

The Greek translation of the Hebrew 'Messiah' (Anointed One), referring to the King and Savior promised to Israel by God through the prophets.

crucifiedσταυρόω

stauroō · Greek Verb

A form of execution used by the Romans, characterized by extreme physical agony, shame, and public degradation, which became the instrument of Christ's atoning sacrifice.

evilκακός

kakos · Greek Adjective/Noun

General term for moral wickedness, malice, or depravity, often used in legal settings to denote a crime worthy of punishment.

innocentἀθῷος

athōos · Greek Adjective

A state of being free from guilt or moral responsibility; a status before God achieved not by works but by grace, or in this context, a failed legal attempt to evade moral accountability.

bloodαἷμα

haima · Greek Noun

Representing life, sacrifice, and the weight of moral responsibility; in the Old Testament, it is the 'life' of the flesh, and here it signifies the guilt of shedding the life of an innocent person.

releasedἀπολύω

apolyō · Greek Verb

A legal act of setting a prisoner free; in this context, it signifies the substitutionary release of a guilty man in the place of the innocent Christ.

scourgedφραγελλόω

phragelloō · Greek Verb

A severe punishment involving whipping with a lash containing bits of bone, metal, or lead, intended to weaken the victim before execution.

deliveredπαραδίδωμι

paradidōmi · Greek Verb

To hand over or surrender to the power or authority of another; often used in the context of Jesus being given over to His enemies to fulfill the divine plan of salvation.

crucifiedσταυρόω

staurōō · Greek Verb

A form of capital punishment involving being fixed to a cross, used by the Romans for slaves and political rebels, characterized by extreme physical agony and public humiliation.