Bible Strands
Matthew 27:26
So Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Pilate acts as the Roman governor immediately after the crowd declares Jesus should die. He releases Barabbas to the mob and orders Jesus to be flogged and handed over for execution.
The words — The Greek ἀπέλυσεν (apelusen) literally means “he released” or “he set free,” denoting Pilate’s official act regarding Barabbas. The particle δὲ (de) introduces a sharp narrative contrast with the following clause about Jesus.
The thread — This sequence matches the parallel accounts in John 19:1 and Mark 15:15, which both record Pilate’s order to flog Jesus. The exchange of a prisoner for an innocent man aligns with the substitutionary pattern in Isaiah 53:5.
Why it lands — The text states that a condemned criminal was freed while an innocent man was scourged and delivered to death. It requires the reader to acknowledge the mechanics of judicial exchange without minimizing the reality of the handed-over punishment.
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
Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 53:5 But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
- John 19:1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged.
- Mark 15:15 And wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.
- Isaiah 50:6 I offered My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle.
- Luke 23:16 Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.”
- Matthew 20:19 and will deliver Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. And on the third day He will be raised to life.”
- Mark 10:34 who will mock Him and spit on Him and flog Him and kill Him. And after three days He will rise again.”
- Luke 23:24 So Pilate sentenced that their demand be met.
- 1 Peter 2:24 He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”
- Luke 18:32 He will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon.