Bible Strands
Matthew 27:17
So when the crowd had assembled, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Pilate addresses an assembled crowd at the moment of selecting a prisoner for release, positioned between the introduction of Barabbas and his own realization that the religious leaders delivered Jesus out of envy.
The words — συνηγμένων (sunēgmenōn) literally denotes the crowd being gathered together, while τινά (tina) functions as the interrogative pronoun "which one" in Pilate’s direct question.
The thread — This forced selection mirrors the choice framework in 1 Kings 18:21, Joshua 24:15, and John 19:15, where a group must declare allegiance between competing figures.
Why it lands — The text records a concrete political ultimatum between a known insurrectionist and a claimed king, requiring the reader to face the practical implications of choosing whom to serve.
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
Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 18:21 Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word.
- John 19:15 At this, they shouted, “Away with Him! Away with Him! Crucify Him!” “Shall I crucify your King?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” replied the chief priests.
- Joshua 24:15 But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”
- Mark 15:9 “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” Pilate asked.
- Matthew 27:21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they replied.
- Matthew 1:16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.