Matthew 27:21

21 But the governor answered them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said, "Bar-Abba!"

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 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him."

20 Now the chief Kohanim and the Zakenim persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Bar-Abba, and destroy Yeshua.

21 But the governor answered them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said, "Bar-Abba!"

22 Pilate said to them, "What then will I do to Yeshua, who is called Messiah?" They all said to him, "Let him be crucified!"

23 But the governor said, "Why? What evil has he done?" But they cried out exceedingly, saying, "Let him be crucified!"