Why did Pilate offer the crowd a choice between Jesus and Barabbas? Matthew 27:17 in Context “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus, who is called Christ, or Barabbas?” (Matthew 27:17) • Just before this, “the governor’s custom at the feast” is noted (Matthew 27:15–16). • Pilate “knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him” (v. 18). • Barabbas is labeled “a notorious prisoner” (v. 16), a violent insurrectionist (Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19). Pilate’s Motives • Political Survival: Jerusalem swelled with Passover crowds; a riot would jeopardize Pilate’s position (Matthew 27:24; John 19:12). • Legal Evasion: Declaring Jesus innocent (Luke 23:4) yet fearing unrest, Pilate looked for a loophole—hand the verdict to the crowd. • Public Contrast: Setting a murderous rebel beside a harmless Teacher highlighted the injustice of condemning Jesus; Pilate expected the people to choose the obvious innocent. • Tradition as Tool: The Passover amnesty custom offered a face-saving way to release Jesus without openly defying the Sanhedrin. Why Barabbas? • Extremes Sharpen Choices: Barabbas, guilty of murder and rebellion (Mark 15:7), embodied violent resistance; Jesus embodied peace and truth (John 18:36–37). • Barabbas Represented Israel’s Messianic Misconceptions: Many wanted a political liberator; Pilate offered the crowd its false hope beside the true Messiah. • Secular Strategy, Divine Design: Pilate chose the most unlikely alternative to strengthen Jesus’ chances—yet God ordained the substitution. The Passover Custom Explained • “The governor’s custom at the feast to release to the crowd a prisoner of their choosing” (Matthew 27:15) mirrored the Passover theme of deliverance (Exodus 12). • Rome occasionally granted amnesty to honor local festivals, promoting goodwill. • Pilate leveraged the custom, expecting it to override Sanhedrin pressure. Prophetic and Theological Dimensions • Substitution Foreshadowed: The guilty set free, the innocent condemned—echoing Isaiah 53:5, “He was pierced for our transgressions.” • Barabbas as Every Sinner: A violent rebel walks away unpunished because Jesus takes his place (2 Corinthians 5:21). • Apostolic Commentary: “You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you” (Acts 3:14). • Sovereign Purpose: Though Pilate acted from expedience, God orchestrated events so Christ would die at Passover as the true Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). Pilate’s Tragic Miscalculation • Crowd Manipulation: Chief priests “persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas” (Matthew 27:20). • Moral Abdication: Pilate washed his hands (v. 24) but couldn’t wash away responsibility (John 19:11). • Political Fear Trumped Justice: “If you let this Man go, you are no friend of Caesar” (John 19:12). Key Takeaways • Pilate offered the choice to escape condemning an innocent Man while placating a volatile crowd. • The stark contrast between Jesus and Barabbas exposed the nation’s spiritual blindness. • God used human politics to advance His redemptive plan: the righteous dying for the unrighteous, “the just for the unjust” (1 Peter 3:18). |
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