Matthew 27:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.

NIV: But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

NASB: But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas, and to put Jesus to death.

CSB: The chief priests and the elders, however, persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to execute Jesus.

NLT: Meanwhile, the leading priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death.

KJV: But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

NKJV: But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.

Pilate has offered the people a choice. Every year at the Passover, he releases one prisoner in Roman custody as a sign of good faith to the people (Matthew 27:20). This year, he has given the crowds a choice. This is a calculated decision. One option is Jesus, popular, a healer, and clearly innocent (Matthew 21:10–11; 27:18). The other is Barabbas, the insurrectionist and murderer (Matthew 27:16; Mark 15:7). Pilate's goal is to have Jesus released.

While this seems to be an easy decision, there are factors to consider. Barabbas' participation in an attempt to overthrow Roman rule may have made him a hero to many. The fact that the entire Jewish religious leadership had condemned Jesus may have turned some of His former fans into skeptics. And, so far as this mob was concerned, it was not a neutral issue. The chief priests and elders have quickly gone to work. It's entirely possible that most who arrived at the governor's home in the early morning (Matthew 27:1–2; John 18:28) were specifically invited by Jesus' enemies. These religious leaders use their influence to persuade the people to ask for the release of Barabbas and the destruction of Jesus, the Son of God.

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.