Matthew 27:16

16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus[a] Barabbas.

Matthew 27:16 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
English Standard Version (ESV)
16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
New Living Translation (NLT)
16 This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named Barabbas.
The Message Bible (MSG)
16 At the time, they had the infamous Jesus Barabbas in prison.
American Standard Version (ASV)
16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
16 At that time there was a well-known prisoner by the name of Barabbas.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner named Barabbas.

Matthew 27:16 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 27:16

And they had then a notable prisoner
The Vulgate Latin reads, "he had"; that is, Pilate, who had committed him to prison, and under whose power he was: for the Jews had lost all authority of this kind, at least in capital cases. This prisoner is called a "notable" one; that is, a famous, or rather an infamous one: he was a thief, and a robber, and had been guilty of sedition; had made, or joined with others in an insurrection, and had committed murder in it; and so, on more accounts than one, was deserving of death: nor could it be otherwise expected by himself, or others, but that he should die: his name was

called Barabbas;
that is, as the Syriac version reads it, (aba rb) , which signifies "the son of a father": a father's child that was spoiled and ruined, and a child of his father the devil. This was a name common among the Jews. Frequent mention is made of R. Abba F8, and Bar Abba is the son of Abba: hence we read of Abba Bar Abba F9, and of R. Samuel Bar Abba F11 and of R. Simeon Bar Abba F12, and of R. Chijah Bar Abba F13. In Munster's Hebrew Gospel it is read (hbr) (rb) , "Bar Rabbah, the son of a master"; and so Jerom says, that in the Gospel according to the Hebrews it is interpreted, "the son of their master"; but the former is the right name, and the true sense of the word. The Ethiopic version adds, "the prince", or "chief of robbers, and all knew him"; and the Arabic, instead of a "prisoner", reads, a "thief", as he was.


FOOTNOTES:

F8 Juchasin, fol. 70. 1
F9 T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 18. 2. & Hieros Pesachim, fol. 32. 1. & Juchasin, fol. 104. 1.
F11 T. Hieros. Pesachim, fol. 32. 1.
F12 T. Hieros. Succa, fol. 53. 3. Juchasin, fol. 105. 1.
F13 T. Hieros. Succa, fol, 55. 3. Juchasin, fol. 91. 2.

Matthew 27:16 In-Context

14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.
15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd.
16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas.
17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”
18 For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Many manuscripts do not have "Jesus" ; also in verse 17.
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