Mark 15:8

8 The crowd came up and began to ask [Pilate] to do for them as was his custom.

Mark 15:8 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 15:8

And the multitude crying aloud
The Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions read, and when the "multitude", or "people went up", to the place called the pavement, where the judgment seat was; and so it is read in Beza's most ancient copy; but the former reading is to be preferred:

began to desire [him to do] as he had ever done to them:
that is, release a prisoner to them, as he had done at every passover, since he had been a governor over them.

Mark 15:8 In-Context

6 At the festival it was Pilate's custom to release for the people a prisoner they requested.

7 There was one named Barabbas, who was in prison with rebels who had committed murder during the rebellion.

8 The crowd came up and began to ask [Pilate] to do for them as was his custom.

9 So Pilate answered them, "Do you want me to release the King of the Jews for you?"

10 For he knew it was because of envy that the chief priests had handed Him over.