Mark 15:6

Jesus or Barabbas

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

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, "Are You not answering anything? Look how many things they are accusing You of!"

5 But Jesus still did not answer anything, so Pilate was amazed.

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.