Luke 23:17


King James Bible
(For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)

New King James Version
(for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast).

New American Standard Bible
[Now he was obligated to release to them at the feast one prisoner.]

NASB 1995
Now he was obliged to release to them at the feast one prisoner.

NASB 1977
[Now he was obliged to release to them at the feast one prisoner.]

Legacy Standard Bible
[Now he was obliged to release to them at the feast one prisoner.]

Amplified Bible
[Now he was obligated to release to them one prisoner at the Feast.]

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For according to the festival he had to release someone to them.

American Standard Version
- - -

English Revised Version


International Standard Version
Now he was obligated to release someone for them at the festival.

Majority Standard Bible
Now Pilate was obliged to release to the people one prisoner at the feast.

New Heart English Bible
(Now he had to release one prisoner to them at the feast.)

Webster's Bible Translation
(For of necessity he must release one to them at the feast.)

Weymouth New Testament


World English Bible
Now he had to release one prisoner to them at the feast.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
[[for it was necessary for him to release to them one at every celebration,]]

Young's Literal Translation
for it was necessary for him to release to them one at every feast,

Smith's Literal Translation
(And he had necessity to loose one at the festival.)
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now of necessity he was to release unto them one upon the feast day.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now he was required to release one person for them on the feast day.

New American Bible
]
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For there was a custom to release to them one at the feast.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For it was a custom to release them one prisoner at the feast.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For it was necessary that he should release to them one at the feast.

Godbey New Testament


Haweis New Testament
(Now he held it necessary to release one to them at the feast.)

Mace New Testament
now as it was customary for the governor to release one of the prisoners at the feast;

Weymouth New Testament


Worrell New Testament
OMITTED TEXT.

Worsley New Testament
Now he was obliged to release one to them at the feast.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Crowd Chooses Barabbas
……

Cross References
Matthew 27:15-26
Now it was the governor’s custom at the feast to release to the crowd a prisoner of their choosing. / At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. / 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?” ...

Mark 15:6-15
Now it was Pilate’s custom at the feast to release to the people a prisoner of their choosing. / And a man named Barabbas was imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. / So the crowd went up and began asking Pilate to keep his custom. ...

John 18:39-40
But it is your custom that I release to you one prisoner at the Passover. So then, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” / “Not this man,” they shouted, “but Barabbas!” (Now Barabbas was an insurrectionist.)

Acts 3:13-14
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus. You handed Him over and rejected Him before Pilate, even though he had decided to release Him. / You rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.

John 19:16
Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified, and the soldiers took Him away.

Matthew 26:5
“But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”

Mark 14:2
“But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”

John 18:28-32
Then they led Jesus away from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. By now it was early morning, and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium, to avoid being defiled and unable to eat the Passover. / So Pilate went out to them and asked, “What accusation are you bringing against this man?” / “If He were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed Him over to you.” ...

Acts 13:28
And though they found no ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have Him executed.

Isaiah 53:3-7
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. / Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. / 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. ...

Psalm 22:16-18
For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet. / I can count all my bones; they stare and gloat over me. / They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.

Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

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.

Psalm 69:4
Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those who would destroy me—my enemies for no reason. Though I did not steal, I must repay.

Isaiah 53:12
Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.


Treasury of Scripture

(For of necessity he must release one to them at the feast.)

Matthew 27:15
Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.

Mark 15:6
Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.

John 18:39
But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

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Feast Necessary Necessity Needs Obliged Prisoner Release
Luke 23
1. Jesus is accused before Pilate, and sent to Herod.
8. Herod mocks him.
12. Herod and Pilate become friends.
13. Barabbas is desired of the people,
24. and is released by Pilate, and Jesus is given to be crucified.
26. He tells the women, that lament him, the destruction of Jerusalem;
34. prays for his enemies.
39. Two criminals are crucified with him.
46. His death.
50. His burial.














Now Pilate was obliged
Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, was in a position of authority but faced political pressure from the Jewish leaders and the crowd. His obligation was not a legal requirement but a customary practice to maintain peace during the volatile time of Passover. This reflects the tension between Roman authority and Jewish customs.

to release to the people
The practice of releasing a prisoner was a gesture to appease the Jewish populace during Passover, a major Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' liberation from Egyptian slavery. This act was meant to symbolize mercy and goodwill, aligning with the themes of liberation and redemption celebrated during the feast.

one prisoner
The choice of releasing a prisoner highlights the stark contrast between Jesus, who was innocent, and Barabbas, a known criminal. This decision underscores the miscarriage of justice and the moral blindness of the crowd, who chose Barabbas over Jesus. It also serves as a type of substitutionary atonement, where the innocent suffers in place of the guilty.

at the feast
The Passover feast was a time of heightened nationalistic fervor and religious significance for the Jewish people. The timing of Jesus' trial and crucifixion during Passover is significant, as it fulfills the typology of Jesus as the Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice brings deliverance from sin, paralleling the original Passover's deliverance from physical bondage.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Pontius Pilate
The Roman governor of Judea who presided over the trial of Jesus. He is known for his role in the crucifixion of Jesus, despite finding no fault in Him.

2. Jesus Christ
The central figure of Christianity, who is on trial and facing crucifixion. He is the innocent Lamb of God, fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament.

3. Barabbas
A prisoner who was chosen by the crowd to be released instead of Jesus. He was known for insurrection and murder.

4. The Feast
Refers to the Passover, a significant Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt. It was customary for the Roman governor to release a prisoner to the people during this time.

5. The Crowd
The assembly of people present at Jesus' trial, who were given the choice to release either Jesus or Barabbas.
Teaching Points
The Injustice of Man
The choice to release Barabbas over Jesus highlights the fallen nature of humanity and the injustice that can prevail in human systems. Reflect on how we can stand for justice in our own lives.

The Fulfillment of Prophecy
Jesus' trial and crucifixion were foretold in the Scriptures. This event underscores the sovereignty of God and the fulfillment of His redemptive plan. Trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem unjust.

The Substitutionary Sacrifice
Barabbas, a guilty man, was set free while Jesus, the innocent, was condemned. This is a powerful illustration of the substitutionary atonement of Christ, who took our place on the cross. Embrace the freedom and forgiveness offered through Jesus' sacrifice.

The Power of Choice
The crowd's choice reflects the daily decisions we make regarding Jesus. Consider how we choose to follow or reject Christ in our actions and priorities.

The Role of Tradition
Pilate's adherence to the custom of releasing a prisoner shows how traditions can influence decisions. Evaluate the traditions in your life and ensure they align with biblical principles.(17) For of necessity he must release one unto them.--Literally, he had a necessity. The better MSS. are singularly divided as to this verse. Most omit it altogether. One, followed by some of the versions, has it after Luke 23:19. It would seem probable from these facts that the narrative was originally written without it, that it was then felt that the release of Barabbas required an explanation, and that a note was first added in the margin, either by a transcriber or by the writer himself in a duplicate copy, and then found its way into the text. The precise form of the phrase, to "have a necessity," is not found in the other Gospels, but is common to St. Luke (Luke 11:18 and here), and St. Paul (1Corinthians 7:37). It is found also in Hebrews 7:27; Jude Luke 23:3. On the practice thus described, see Note on Matthew 27:15. . . . Verse 17. - (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.) Probably, however, before the scourging was inflicted, the attempt to liberate Jesus in accordance with a custom belonging to that feast was made by Pilate. We know it failed, and a condemned robber called Barabbas was preferred by the people. The more ancient authorities omit this verse (17). It probably was introduced at an early period into many manuscripts of St. Luke as a marginal. gloss, as an explanatory statement based on the words of Matthew 27:15 or of Mark 15:6. As a Hebrew custom, it is never mentioned save in this place. Such a release was a common incident of a Latin Lectisternium, or feast in honour of the gods. The Greeks had a similar custom at the Thesmophoria. It was probably introduced at Jerusalem by the Roman power.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Now
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A weak adversative particle, generally placed second in its clause; but, on the other hand, and.

of necessity
Ἀνάγκην (Anankēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 318: Necessity, constraint, compulsion; there is need to; force, violence.

he had
εἴχεν (eichen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess.

to release
ἀπολύειν (apolyein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 630: To release, let go, send away, divorce, to be rid; to depart.

to them
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same.

one
ἕνα (hena)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1520: One.

at
κατὰ (kata)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: Genitive: against, down from, throughout, by; accusative: over against, among, daily, day-by-day, each day, according to, by way of.

[the] feast.
ἑορτὴν (heortēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1859: A festival, feast, periodically recurring.


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NT Gospels: Luke 23:17 Now he had to release one prisoner (Luke Lu Lk)
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