Mark 15:11
New International Version
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.

New Living Translation
But at this point the leading priests stirred up the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus.

English Standard Version
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead.

Berean Standard Bible
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas to them instead.

Berean Literal Bible
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, that he might release to them Barabbas instead.

King James Bible
But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.

New King James Version
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them.

New American Standard Bible
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead.

NASB 1995
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead.

NASB 1977
But the chief priests stirred up the multitude to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead.

Legacy Standard Bible
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead.

Amplified Bible
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to get him to release Barabbas for them instead.

Christian Standard Bible
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd so that he would release Barabbas to them instead.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd so that he would release Barabbas to them instead.

American Standard Version
But the chief priests stirred up the multitude, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.

Contemporary English Version
But the chief priests told the crowd to ask Pilate to free Barabbas.

English Revised Version
But the chief priests stirred up the multitude, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The chief priests stirred up the crowd so that Pilate would free Barabbas for them instead.

Good News Translation
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask, instead, that Pilate set Barabbas free for them.

International Standard Version
But the high priests stirred up the crowd to get him to release Barabbas for them instead.

Majority Standard Bible
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas to them instead.

NET Bible
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas instead.

New Heart English Bible
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, that he should release Barabbas to them instead.

Webster's Bible Translation
But the chief priests moved the people that he should rather release Barabbas to them.

Weymouth New Testament
But the High Priests urged on the crowd to obtain Barabbas's release in preference;

World English Bible
But the chief priests stirred up the multitude, that he should release Barabbas to them instead.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the chief priests moved the multitude that he might rather release Barabbas to them.

Berean Literal Bible
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, that he might release to them Barabbas instead.

Young's Literal Translation
and the chief priests did move the multitude, that he might rather release Barabbas to them.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the chief priests moved the crowd, that he would rather loose Barabbas to them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas to them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then the chief priests incited the crowd, so that he would release Barabbas to them instead.

New American Bible
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead.

New Revised Standard Version
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But the high priests incited the people the more, that he should release Bar-Abbas to them.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But the Chief Priests urged the crowd all the more that he would release Barabba.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But the chief priests instigated the multitude, that he should rather release Barabbas to them.

Godbey New Testament
And the chief priests persuaded the multitude that he should rather release unto them Barabbas.

Haweis New Testament
Then the chief priests stirred up the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.

Mace New Testament
but the chief priests incited the people to demand, that he would rather release Barabbas.

Weymouth New Testament
But the High Priests urged on the crowd to obtain Barabbas's release in preference;

Worrell New Testament
But the high priests stirred up the multitude, that he should rather release to them Barabbas.

Worsley New Testament
but the chief priests incited the people to desire that he would rather release Barabbas to them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Crowd Chooses Barabbas
10For he knew it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over. 11But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas to them instead. 12So Pilate asked them again, “What then do you want me to do with the One you call the King of the Jews?”…

Cross References
Matthew 27:20
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death.

Luke 23:18-23
But they all cried out in unison: “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” / (Barabbas had been imprisoned for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) / Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again, ...

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.

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

John 18:40
“Not this man,” they shouted, “but Barabbas!” (Now Barabbas was an insurrectionist.)

Matthew 27:22-23
“What then should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify Him!” / “Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”

Luke 23:13-14
Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, / and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him here in your presence and found Him not guilty of your charges against Him.

John 18:38-40
“What is truth?” Pilate asked. And having said this, he went out again to the Jews and told them, “I find no basis for a charge against Him. / 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 2:23
He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.

Isaiah 53:3
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.

Psalm 118:22
The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.

Psalm 2:1-3
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: / “Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.”

Zechariah 11:12-13
Then I told them, “If it seems right to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” So they weighed out my wages, thirty pieces of silver. / And the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—this magnificent price at which they valued me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD.


Treasury of Scripture

But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas to them.

Hosea 5:1
Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.

Matthew 27:20
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

John 18:40
Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

Jump to Previous
Barabbas Barab'bas Chief Crowd Free High Instead Move Moved Multitude Obtain Pilate Preference Priests Rather Release Stirred Urged
Jump to Next
Barabbas Barab'bas Chief Crowd Free High Instead Move Moved Multitude Obtain Pilate Preference Priests Rather Release Stirred Urged
Mark 15
1. Jesus brought bound, and accused before Pilate.
6. Upon the clamor of the people, the murderer Barabbas is released,
12. and Jesus delivered up to be crucified.
16. He is crowned with thorns, spit on, and mocked;
21. faints in bearing his cross;
27. hangs between two thieves;
29. suffers the triumphing reproaches of the crowd;
39. but is confessed by the centurion to be the Son of God;
42. and is honorably buried by Joseph.














But the chief priests
The phrase "the chief priests" refers to the leading religious authorities in Jerusalem during the time of Jesus. In the Greek, "ἀρχιερεῖς" (archiereis) denotes those who held the highest religious office, responsible for temple rituals and maintaining religious order. Historically, the chief priests were part of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. Their role in this verse highlights their influence and authority, as well as their opposition to Jesus, whom they saw as a threat to their power and religious traditions.

stirred up the crowd
The Greek word used here is "ἀνέσεισαν" (aneseisan), meaning to incite or agitate. This indicates a deliberate and strategic action by the chief priests to manipulate public opinion. The historical context reveals that during Passover, Jerusalem was crowded with pilgrims, making it easier for the chief priests to sway the masses. This action reflects the chief priests' desperation to ensure Jesus' crucifixion, showcasing their willingness to exploit the crowd's emotions for their purposes.

to have him release Barabbas
Barabbas, whose name means "son of the father" in Aramaic, was a notorious prisoner. The choice between Jesus and Barabbas is deeply symbolic. Barabbas represents rebellion and violence, as he was involved in an insurrection (Mark 15:7). Theologically, this moment underscores the irony and tragedy of the crowd choosing a known criminal over the sinless Son of God. It also foreshadows the substitutionary atonement of Christ, as the innocent Jesus takes the place of the guilty Barabbas, symbolizing the exchange of our sins for His righteousness.

to them instead
The word "instead" signifies a substitution, a key theme in Christian theology. In Greek, "μᾶλλον" (mallon) implies preference or rather. This choice reflects the fallen nature of humanity, often preferring darkness over light (John 3:19). Historically, this decision was influenced by the chief priests' manipulation, but it also fulfilled God's sovereign plan for redemption. Theologically, it serves as a poignant reminder of the human tendency to reject God's offer of salvation, yet it also highlights God's grace in offering His Son as a sacrifice for all.

Verse 11. - But the chief priests stirred up the multitude (ἀνέσεισαν τὸν ὄχλον), that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. St. Matthew (Matthew 27:20) says, "They persuaded the multitudes" (ἔπεισαν τοὺς ὄχλους). St. Mark's word (ἀνέσεισαν) implies a rousing of their bad passions; agitating them to a blind zeal for his crucifixion.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the
Οἱ (Hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

chief priests
ἀρχιερεῖς (archiereis)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 749: High priest, chief priest. From arche and hiereus; the high-priest; by extension a chief priest.

stirred up
ἀνέσεισαν (aneseisan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 383: To shake up, stir up, excite. From ana and seio; figuratively, to excite.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

crowd
ὄχλον (ochlon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3793: From a derivative of echo; a throng; by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot.

to
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

have him release
ἀπολύσῃ (apolysē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 630: From apo and luo; to free fully, i.e. relieve, release, dismiss, or let die, pardon or divorce.

Barabbas
Βαραββᾶν (Barabban)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 912: Barabbas. Of Chaldee origin; son of Abba; Bar-abbas, an Israelite.

to them
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

instead.
μᾶλλον (mallon)
Adverb
Strong's 3123: More, rather. Neuter of the comparative of the same as malista; more) or rather.


Links
Mark 15:11 NIV
Mark 15:11 NLT
Mark 15:11 ESV
Mark 15:11 NASB
Mark 15:11 KJV

Mark 15:11 BibleApps.com
Mark 15:11 Biblia Paralela
Mark 15:11 Chinese Bible
Mark 15:11 French Bible
Mark 15:11 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: Mark 15:11 But the chief priests stirred up (Mar Mk Mr)
Mark 15:10
Top of Page
Top of Page