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. 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 Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleNow Pilate was obliged to release to the people one prisoner at the feast. 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 BibleNow 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 BibleFor 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 TestamentFor 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 (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Crowd Chooses Barabbas…… Cross References Now Pilate was obliged Matthew 27:15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the feast to release to the crowd a prisoner of their choosing. Mark 15:6 Now it was Pilate’s custom at the feast to release to the people a prisoner of their choosing. John 18:39 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?” to release to the people Matthew 27:26 So Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified. 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. John 18:40 “Not this man,” they shouted, “but Barabbas!” (Now Barabbas was an insurrectionist.) one prisoner Matthew 27:16 At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. Mark 15:7 And a man named Barabbas was imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. at the feast. Mark 14:1 Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were two days away, and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a covert way to arrest Jesus and kill Him. Matthew 26:2 “You know that the Passover is two days away, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” Leviticus 23:5-6 The Passover to the LORD begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. / On the fifteenth day of the same month begins the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD. For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. 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.” … 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? Jump to Previous Feast Necessary Necessity Needs Obliged Prisoner ReleaseJump to Next Feast Necessary Necessity Needs Obliged Prisoner ReleaseLuke 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 Though he held Roman authority, Pilate faced a volatile crowd and leaders determined to secure Jesus’ death. During Passover, public order required careful political judgment. Mat 27:15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the feast… to release to the people Releasing a prisoner served as a concession to the assembled populace during the Passover feast, commemorating the Israelites’ liberation from Egyptian slavery, when Jerusalem was crowded with pilgrims and national hopes were heightened. Mat 27:26 So Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus… one prisoner The choice set Jesus, whom Pilate found without guilt worthy of death, against Barabbas, a man associated with rebellion and murder. Barabbas’s release while Jesus was condemned displays the injustice of the proceedings and foreshadows the innocent bearing the penalty due to the guilty. Mat 27:16 At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner… at the feast. Passover commemorated Israel’s deliverance from Egypt through the blood of the lamb. Jesus’ death at this season reveals Him as the true Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice provides deliverance from sin. Mrk 14:1 Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread… Persons / Places / Events 1. Pontius PilateThe 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 ManThe 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. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Luke 23:17?2. How does Luke 23:17 illustrate the concept of justice in biblical terms? 3. What does Pilate's decision reveal about human authority versus divine authority? 4. How can we apply the lesson of Luke 23:17 in our daily lives? 5. What Old Testament prophecies connect to the events in Luke 23:17? 6. How does Luke 23:17 challenge us to stand for truth in difficult situations? 7. Why is Luke 23:17 omitted in some Bible translations? 8. How does Luke 23:17 impact the understanding of Jesus' trial? 9. What historical evidence supports the practice mentioned in Luke 23:17? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 23? (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. Luke 23:17 records Pilate’s custom of releasing a prisoner at Passover, setting the stage for the crowd’s fateful choice between Jesus and Barabbas. The verse roots the narrative in historical practice, highlights human responsibility, and foreshadows the gospel’s core: the innocent Lamb substituted for the guilty. Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Nowδὲ (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. Additonal Resources Luke 23:17 Blue Letter BibleLuke 23:17 Bible Gateway Luke 23:17 Bible.com Luke 23:17 NIV |
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