Bible Strands
John 18:39
But it is your custom that I release to you one prisoner at the Passover. So then, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Pilate speaks to the Jewish leaders outside the praetorium immediately after declaring he finds no legal basis to condemn Jesus. He proposes using a Passover practice to exchange Jesus for a detained prisoner.
The words — συνήθεια (sunētheia) means a customary practice, and ἀπολύσω (apolusō) means to release or send away. Pilate frames the prisoner exchange as a routine concession rather than a judicial verdict.
The thread — The Passover release custom is recorded in Matthew 27:15 and Mark 15:6, while Luke 23:16 only contains Pilate’s declaration to punish and release Jesus.
Why it lands — The verse presents a political negotiation where a Roman official offers a conditional pardon to a condemned man. It asks the reader to observe how institutional traditions can be used to transfer the burden of a crucifixion decision onto the crowd.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
Cross-references
- Matthew 27:15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the feast to release to the crowd a prisoner of their choosing.
- Mark 15:6 Now it was Pilate’s custom at the feast to release to the people a prisoner of their choosing.
- Luke 23:16 Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.”
- Matthew 27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death.