Bible Strands
Matthew 27:15
Now it was the governor’s custom at the feast to release to the crowd a prisoner of their choosing.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative describes a procedural moment during the Passover feast where the Roman governor offers the crowd a choice to release a specific prisoner. This occurs immediately after Pilate’s recorded amazement at Jesus’ complete silence before the charges.
The words — The Greek εἰώθει (eiōthei) literally means “had been accustomed,” establishing the release as an established administrative practice rather than a spontaneous act. ἡγεμὼν (hēgemōn) identifies the official as the governing authority holding legal power over the crowd.
The thread — This feast-release practice is paralleled in Mark 15:6, while the broader political tension around the feast appears in Matthew 26:5. The narrative context in Matthew 27:16 immediately introduces Barabbas as the prisoner held at that time.
Why it lands — The text records a legal mechanism that places a known rebel’s freedom in the hands of the crowd, forcing a direct choice between two prisoners. A reader must confront how institutional customs can be used to exchange judicial outcome for political expediency.
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
Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
Cross-references
- Matthew 26:5 “But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”
- 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.”
- John 18:38 “What is truth?” Pilate asked. And having said this, he went out again to the Jews and told them, “I find no basis for a charge against Him.
- John 19:16 Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified, and the soldiers took Him away.
- Acts 24:27 After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
- Acts 25:9 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to stand trial before me on these charges?”