Matthew 27:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted.

NIV: Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd.

NASB: Now at the Passover Feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted.

CSB: At the festival the governor’s custom was to release to the crowd a prisoner they wanted.

NLT: Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd — anyone they wanted.

KJV: Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.

NKJV: Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished.

These events are happening near Passover, a major Jewish holiday (Matthew 26:1–5). This is likely the only reason Pontius Pilate, an infamously cruel and prejudiced Roman governor, is here rather than in his more usual seat of power. Pilate might have been arrogant, but he was not stupid. By this time, he would have already known about Jesus' popularity (Matthew 21:10–11). He can see through the obvious vendetta of the religious leaders (Matthew 27:18). If for no other reason than to resist being manipulated, he seems committed to having Jesus released, rather than killed.

The following verses show one of the attempts Pilate made to go around the Jewish religious leaders to free Jesus. He would use a custom to give the crowd a chance to call for Jesus' release. Roman law allowed certain leaders to pardon prisoners as they saw fit. The gospels suggest a standing tradition existed in Judea in which the Roman governor would release one prisoner during the Passover celebration. Perhaps the prisoner was selected, at least in part, according to popular opinion. What Pilate does not realize—yet—is that the people present appear to have been brought by Jesus' enemies to present a hostile scene (Matthew 27:20, 24; Mark 15:11, 15).

Matthew 27:11–26 describes Jesus' trial before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. The Jewish religious leaders are asking Pilate to condemn Jesus to death, hurling accusations. Pilate is amazed that Jesus remains silent, barely saying anything in His own defense. Pilate offers the Passover crowds the choice between releasing Jesus or releasing Barabbas. They choose Barabbas and call for Jesus to be crucified. Pilate recognizes the obvious feud driving this persecution; he is more concerned with civil order than with justice. He agrees to execute Jesus while claiming no responsibility for the decision. Further details are found in Mark 15:1–15, Luke 23:1–25, and John 18:28—19:16.

When Judas learns Jesus has been condemned, he regrets betraying the Lord. He throws down his ill-gotten money and hangs himself. Jesus is taken to Pilate, who finds nothing to charge Him with. Given the choice, the people shout for the release of a convicted murderer and insist on Jesus' death. Jesus is mocked by a battalion of soldiers and then taken to be crucified. On the cross, He is mocked for not being able to save Himself. After three hours of darkness, Jesus dies. He is buried by a rich follower in a new tomb. This location is tightly guarded to prevent anyone from stealing the body.

Matthew 27 begins with an official meeting of the Jewish ruling council. They affirm Jesus' condemnation from the previous night, described in chapter 26. Judas confesses his betrayal and hangs himself. Pilate tries to release Jesus, but the mob shouts for Jesus to be crucified. Jesus is humiliated by Roman soldiers and marched to be executed. On the cross, He is mocked by Jewish religious leaders and others. He dies and is buried in a never-used tomb. Extensive efforts to secure His body from being stolen only serve to prove the miraculous nature of His resurrection, which is detailed in chapter 28.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.