Bible Strands
Matthew 27:16
At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner named Barabbas.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrator introduces Barabbas at the moment Pilate prepares to offer the crowd a choice between him and Jesus during the Passover feast. This occurs just before the governor asks the assembled multitude which prisoner they want released.
The words — The Greek δέσμιον (desmion) translates literally to "a prisoner," while ἐπίσημον (episēmon) means "notable" or "notorious." These terms establish Barabbas as a known detainee rather than an unknown captive.
The thread — Mark 15:7 identifies him as a rebel imprisoned for murder, and Luke 23:18 records the crowd demanding his release. Luke 23:25 confirms Pilate grants this request, releasing the man held for insurrection and murder.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to recognize that a known criminal is being offered as an alternative to Jesus. It demands a clear-eyed assessment of the choice presented to the crowd before any decision is made.
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
And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
Cross-references
- Mark 15:7 And a man named Barabbas was imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection.
- Luke 23:18 But they all cried out in unison: “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!”
- Luke 23:25 As they had requested, he released the one imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over to their will.
- John 18:40 “Not this man,” they shouted, “but Barabbas!” (Now Barabbas was an insurrectionist.)
- Acts 3:14 You rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.
- Romans 1:32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them.