Matthew 27:15-23. The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 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?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 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.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!”23 And he said, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

Comments

As the confrontation came to a head, Pilate brought out yet-to-be-condemned Barabbas. The name Bar-abbas means “Son of Abbas,” which in Aramaic sounds like “son of the Father.” Matthew must have fully understood the irony in two “sons of the father” standing next to one another. Pilate knew the charges against Jesus were false. Ineptly, he thought the crowd would choose his candidate for amnesty. After all, he represented the occupying power and Barabbas was likely a freedom fighter. Even his wife, a pagan, who heard the voice of God in a dream, knew Jesus’ innocence. The deaf to God Jewish leaders convinced the crowd to call for Barabbas’ release. The crowd and leaders stood united before a wilting governor.

Prayer

Almighty God who hast sent the Spirit of truth unto us to guide us into all truth: so rule our lives by thy power that we may be truthful in thought and word and deed. May no fear or hope ever make us false in act or speech; cast out from us whatsoever loveth or maketh a lie, and bring us all into the perfect freedom of thy truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Brooke Foss Westcott, 1825-1901