Mark 15:6

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

6 Now it was Pilate’s custom at the feast to release to the people ^[a] a prisoner of their choosing. ¹

Mark 15:6 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 15:6

Now at that feast
The feast of the passover, which was at that instant; see ( John 18:39 ) . The Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions read, "at every feast"; as if the following custom was used at every feast in the year, at the feasts of pentecost and tabernacles, as well as at the passover; whereas it was only at the latter:

he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired;
of this custom (See Gill on Matthew 27:15).

Mark 15:6 In-Context

4 Then Pilate questioned Him again, “Have You no answer? Look how many charges they are bringing against You!”

5 But to Pilate’s amazement, Jesus made no further reply.

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

7 And a man named Barabbas was imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection.

8 So the crowd went up and began asking Pilate to keep his custom.

Cross References

• 1. (Matthew 27:15–23; Luke 23:13–25)

Footnotes

• [a] Literally Now at the feast he would release to them