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Matthew 27:17
ESV 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?"
NIV So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?"
NASB So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, 'Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?'
CSB So when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Who is it you want me to release for you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?"
NLT As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he asked them, 'Which one do you want me to release to you — Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?'
KJV Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
NKJV Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”

What does Matthew 27:17 mean?

Pilate is trying to figure out what to do with Jesus, who has been brought to him by the Jewish religious leaders. They are demanding a death sentence (Matthew 27:11–16). Pilate cannot find anything wrong with Jesus (John 18:33–38), and Jesus won't say much in His own defense. Rather than be blatantly manipulated by a religious feud (Matthew 27:18), Pilate has another idea. Every year at Passover, he releases a prisoner as a kind of gift to the people. Since the religious leaders are claiming Jesus is a rebel against Rome, Pilate will offer a true insurgent as an option. Presumably, there'd be no question which was more deserving of release.

The man Pilate suggests as an alternative is a confirmed rebel and murderer (Mark 15:7), so vile that he's described as "notorious" (Matthew 27:16). It's certain Pilate knew that Jesus of Nazareth had been followed by great numbers of people throughout Israel (Matthew 21:10–11). At the same time, the other prisoner being offered was an insurrectionist who had been convicted of participating in an uprising against Rome. It's possible some thought of him as a hero.

Pilate's alternative is Barabbas, who in some manuscripts is identified as "Jesus Barabbas," meaning he shared the same common given name as Jesus of Nazareth. This creates a potent symbolism in the choice now facing the people. Do they want Jesus the Messiah, or Jesus the Rebel? Jesus the clearly innocent man, or Jesus the fallible, even evil man? The One previously known to be innocent, or a man likely already scheduled for death? Do they want the Truth (John 14:6) who is the Son of God (Matthew 16:15–17), or someone better aligned with their own preferences?

Pilate poses the question to the crowds. His addition of the title "Christ" might be a taunt to the Jewish people. This comes from the Greek Christos, itself a translation of the Hebrew term Mashiyach, from which we also derive the term "Messiah."
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