Mark 15:6
New International Version
Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested.

New Living Translation
Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner—anyone the people requested.

English Standard Version
Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked.

Berean Standard Bible
Now it was Pilate’s custom at the feast to release to the people a prisoner of their choosing.

Berean Literal Bible
And at the feast, he used to release to them one prisoner, whom they requested.

King James Bible
Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.

New King James Version
Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested.

New American Standard Bible
Now at the Passover Feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested.

NASB 1995
Now at the feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested.

NASB 1977
Now at the feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now at the feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested.

Amplified Bible
Now at the [Passover] feast Pilate used to set free for them any one prisoner whom they requested.

Christian Standard Bible
At the festival Pilate used to release for the people a prisoner whom they requested.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
At the festival it was Pilate’s custom to release for the people a prisoner they requested.

American Standard Version
Now at the feast he used to release unto them one prisoner, whom they asked of him.

Contemporary English Version
During Passover, Pilate always freed one prisoner chosen by the people.

English Revised Version
Now at the feast he used to release unto them one prisoner, whom they asked of him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
At every Passover festival, Pilate would free one prisoner whom the people asked for.

Good News Translation
At every Passover Festival Pilate was in the habit of setting free any one prisoner the people asked for.

International Standard Version
At every festival, Pilate would release any one prisoner whom the people requested.

Majority Standard Bible
Now it was Pilate’s custom at the feast to release to the people a prisoner of their choosing.

NET Bible
During the feast it was customary to release one prisoner to the people, whomever they requested.

New Heart English Bible
Now at the feast he used to release to them one prisoner, whom they requested.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now at that feast he released to them one prisoner, whom they desired.

Weymouth New Testament
Now at the Festival it was customary for Pilate to release to the Jews any one prisoner whom they might beg off from punishment;

World English Bible
Now at the feast he used to release to them one prisoner, whomever they asked of him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And at every celebration he was releasing to them one prisoner, whomsoever they were asking for;

Berean Literal Bible
And at the feast, he used to release to them one prisoner, whom they requested.

Young's Literal Translation
And at every feast he was releasing to them one prisoner, whomsoever they were asking;

Smith's Literal Translation
And at the festival he loosed to them one in bonds, whomsoever they asked.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now on the festival day he was wont to release unto them one of the prisoners, whomsoever they demanded.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now on the feast day, he was accustomed to release to them one of the prisoners, whomever they requested.

New American Bible
Now on the occasion of the feast he used to release to them one prisoner whom they requested.

New Revised Standard Version
Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now it was the custom on every feast to release to them one prisoner, whom they asked for.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But he had set a time at every feast to release one prisoner to them, whomever they requested.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Now it was his custom to release to them, at the feast, one prisoner, whomever they desired.

Godbey New Testament
But during the feast he was accustomed to release unto them one prisoner, whom they asked,

Haweis New Testament
Now at the feast, he released one prisoner to them, whomsoever they petitioned for.

Mace New Testament
Now during the feast, it was customary to release a prisoner, to be nominated by the people.

Weymouth New Testament
Now at the Festival it was customary for Pilate to release to the Jews any one prisoner whom they might beg off from punishment;

Worrell New Testament
Now at the feast he was wont to release to them one prisoner, whom they asked of him.

Worsley New Testament
Now at the feast he used to release to them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Crowd Chooses Barabbas
5But to Pilate’s amazement, Jesus made no further reply. 6Now it was Pilate’s custom at the feast to release to the people a prisoner of their choosing. 7And a man named Barabbas was imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection.…

Cross References
Matthew 27:15
Now it was the governor’s custom at the feast to release to the crowd a prisoner of their choosing.

Luke 23:17
Now Pilate was obliged to release to the people one prisoner at the feast.

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?”

Acts 25:11
If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”

Acts 25:16
I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand a man over before he has had an opportunity to face his accusers and defend himself against their charges.

John 19:12
From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.”

Matthew 27:16-17
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?”

Luke 23:18-19
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.)

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

Acts 3:14
You rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.

Acts 3:13
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.

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

Luke 23:25
As they had requested, he released the one imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over to their will.

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

Acts 24:27
After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.


Treasury of Scripture

Now at that feast he released to them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.

Matthew 26:2,5
Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified…

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

Luke 23:16,17
I will therefore chastise him, and release him

Jump to Previous
Beg Begged Custom Customary Desired Feast Festival Free Jews Pilate Prisoner Punishment Release Released Releasing Request Requested Used Whomsoever
Jump to Next
Beg Begged Custom Customary Desired Feast Festival Free Jews Pilate Prisoner Punishment Release Released Releasing Request Requested Used Whomsoever
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.














Now it was
This phrase sets the stage for a specific moment in time, indicating a customary practice. The Greek word "ἦν" (ēn) is an imperfect tense verb, suggesting an ongoing or habitual action. This implies that the event described was not a one-time occurrence but a regular tradition during the feast. It highlights the predictability and expectation surrounding the events that unfold.

Pilate’s custom
Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, is central to this narrative. The term "custom" (Greek: ἔθος, ethos) refers to a practice or tradition that has been established over time. Historically, this custom of releasing a prisoner was likely a political maneuver to appease the Jewish populace during Passover, a time of heightened nationalistic sentiment. Pilate's role here underscores the tension between Roman authority and Jewish tradition.

at the feast
The "feast" refers to the Passover, a pivotal Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' liberation from Egyptian bondage. This context is crucial, as Passover was a time of great nationalistic fervor and religious significance. The release of a prisoner during this feast would have been a symbolic gesture of liberation, echoing the themes of freedom and deliverance inherent in the Passover celebration.

to release
The act of releasing (Greek: ἀπολύω, apolyō) a prisoner is significant both legally and symbolically. It denotes a setting free or a granting of liberty. In the context of the narrative, this act of release is laden with irony, as the crowd will soon choose to release Barabbas, a known insurrectionist, over Jesus, the true liberator from sin.

to the people
The phrase "to the people" (Greek: τῷ ὄχλῳ, tō ochlō) indicates that the decision was placed in the hands of the Jewish populace. This highlights the democratic element of the custom, where the collective will of the people determined the outcome. It also foreshadows the tragic choice that the crowd will make, emphasizing the theme of human responsibility and the consequences of collective decision-making.

a prisoner
The term "prisoner" (Greek: δέσμιος, desmios) refers to someone who is bound or in chains. This word choice underscores the contrast between physical bondage and spiritual freedom. The narrative tension builds as the reader anticipates which prisoner will be released, setting the stage for the profound irony of the crowd's choice.

of their choosing
The phrase "of their choosing" (Greek: ὃν ᾐτοῦντο, hon ēitounto) emphasizes the agency and responsibility of the people in making their selection. This choice is pivotal, as it reflects the moral and spiritual state of the nation. Theologically, it serves as a reminder of the human tendency to choose wrongly, even when presented with the truth, and highlights the need for divine intervention in guiding human choices.

(6) He released . . . whomsoever they desired.--Both verbs are in the tense which implies custom.

Verse 6. - St. Mark omits here what took place next in the order of events, namely, the sending of our Lord by Pilate to Herod (Luke 23:5). This was Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee; and Pilate, apparently convinced of our Lord's innocence, hoped to escape the responsibility of condemning an innocent man, by handing him over to Herod; for Pilate had heard that our Lord was a Galilean. Moreover, he hoped to accomplish another good result, namely, to recover the favor of Herod, which was desirable on political grounds. The first intention failed; for Herod sent our Lord back to Pilate in mockery, "arraying him in gorgeous apparel" (περιβαλὼν ἐσθῆτα λαμπρὰν). But the second succeeded: "Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day" (Luke 23:12). There was now, however, another resource. At the feast (κατα ἑορτὴν) - literally, at feast-time - he used to release unto them one prisoner, whom they asked of him ὅνπερ ἠτοῦντο). In St. John (John 18:39) we read that Pilate said, "Ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the Passover."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Now {it was Pilate’s custom}
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

at
Κατὰ (Kata)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

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

to release
ἀπέλυεν (apelyen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative 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.

to [the people]
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.

a
ἕνα (hena)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

prisoner
δέσμιον (desmion)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1198: One bound, a prisoner. From desmon; a captive.

of their choosing.
παρῃτοῦντο (parētounto)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3868: From para and the middle voice of aiteo; to beg off, i.e. Deprecate, decline, shun.


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NT Gospels: Mark 15:6 Now at the feast he used (Mar Mk Mr)
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