Luke 23:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder.

NIV: (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

NASB: ( He was one who had been thrown into prison for a revolt that took place in the city, and for murder.)

CSB: (He had been thrown into prison for a rebellion that had taken place in the city, and for murder.)

NLT: (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.)

KJV: Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)

NKJV: who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder.

Pilate is doing almost everything he can to release Jesus. What he won't do is take responsibility for his position and make an authoritative decision. Jesus is innocent. Pilate knows it (Luke 23:4), Herod Antipas knows it (Luke 23:15), and Jesus' accusers know it (Mark 15:10). The governor has offered to beat Jesus before releasing Him (Luke 23:16). Now, he tries one last tactic. It is tradition that he release one prisoner during Passover. He gives the crowd a choice: Jesus or Barabbas (Matthew 27:17).

Pilate's choice has three interesting implications.

First, his options are one man who is innocent of stirring up the people and another man who is guilty of insurrection and murder. The Jewish leaders and the crowd claim Jesus needs to die because He has led the people to rebel against Rome (Luke 23:1–5). Barabbas is unquestionably guilty. If the assembled mob chooses Barabbas, they reveal their true hearts (Matthew 27:18).

Second, Pilate not only knows Jesus is innocent (Luke 23:14), but his wife told him about her dream and its caution not to harass Jesus (Matthew 27:19). If Pilate offers a choice, and the Jews choose Jesus, Pilate may think he is morally absolved of Jesus' murder (Matthew 27:24).

Third, "Barabbas" means "son of the father." It may mean that he resembles his father in some way. Jesus is the perfect image of God the Father. His life reveals the nature, love, and righteousness of God (John 1:14–18; 14:7, 9; Colossians 1:15). The comparison is even deeper in that many manuscripts indicate that Barabbas's given name is also Iēsous. This is from the Hebrew Yeshua: translated as "Joshua" in the Old Testament and "Jesus" in the New Testament. Do the people want Jesus as He truly is, or a "Jesus" more like them? If they tell Pilate to release Barabbas, they are choosing to honor fallen man—both Barabbas and themselves (Matthew 27:18)—over their God.

Luke 23:13–19 contains Pilate's next attempt to convince the Sanhedrin that Jesus has done nothing worthy of death. He even offers to scourge Jesus before releasing Him. The Sanhedrin won't listen. Instead of Jesus, they'd rather Pilate release the insurrectionist Barabbas. Matthew 27:15–21 and Mark 15:6–11 roughly follow the same timeline, but John 18:39—19:5 includes details about what Jesus endures at the hands of Pilate's guards.

Luke 23 records the remaining trials, death, and burial of Jesus Christ. He is examined by the Roman governor and the local appointed King, neither of whom are interested in passing a death sentence. Local religious leaders incite the crowd, pressuring the governor, Pilate, to authorize crucifixion. Jesus accepts the faith of another condemned man and dies. Joseph of Arimathea asks for Jesus body and buries it in a tomb cut from rock.

Luke 23 records Jesus' civil trials, crucifixion, and burial. The members of the Sanhedrin have put Jesus through three trials in their attempt to convince Pilate He's a threat (Luke 22:47–71). Their case is weak, but their political influence is powerful enough to force Pilate's hand. Jesus is executed. Three days after Joseph of Arimathea buries Jesus, Jesus reappears on the road to Emmaus where He explains Messianic prophecies in Jewish Scriptures. After spending time with His followers, Jesus ascends into heaven (Luke 24) and the disciples build the church (Acts).

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.