Matthew 27:21

21 The governor answered and said unto them, Which of the two desire ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.

Matthew 27:21 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 27:21

The governor answered and said unto them
A second time, after some time had been allowed and taken up to consider of the matter, and which the chief priests and elders improved among the people against Jesus.

Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you?
for as these two were proposed, one of them must be released; and it lay in the breast of the people to choose which they would:

they said, Barabbas;
so that Christ was not only numbered among, and reckoned with transgressors, but he was accounted worse than the worst of them; a seditious person, a robber, and a murderer was preferred before him: see ( Acts 3:14 ) .

Matthew 27:21 In-Context

19 When he was seated upon the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man, for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

20 But the princes of the priests and the elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.

21 The governor answered and said unto them, Which of the two desire ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.

22 Pilate said unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus who is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

23 And the governor said, Why, what evil has he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.