Bible Strands
Matthew 27:20
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The chief priests and elders act while Pilate sits on the judgment seat, directing the gathered crowd to demand Barabbas’s release and Jesus’s execution. This occurs immediately after Pilate’s wife sends a warning dream and just before Pilate asks which prisoner he should release.
The words — The verb ἔπεισαν (epeisan) literally means "persuaded" or "convinced," describing the active influence the religious leaders exerted over the people.
The thread — This dynamic of religious leaders manipulating crowds against Jesus appears in Mark 15:11 and echoes the crowd’s later rejection in Acts 3:14, while John 19:15 records the resulting demand for crucifixion.
Why it lands — The text states that religious authorities actively turned popular opinion toward an unjust execution. It requires the reader to identify where they allow influential voices to dictate their moral judgments instead of weighing the evidence directly.
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 the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
Cross-references
- 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.
- Acts 3:14 You rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.
- Mark 15:11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas to them instead.
- John 18:40 “Not this man,” they shouted, “but Barabbas!” (Now Barabbas was an insurrectionist.)
- Luke 23:18 But they all cried out in unison: “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!”
- Acts 14:18 Even with these words, Paul and Barnabas could hardly stop the crowds from sacrificing to them.
- Acts 19:23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.