Matthew 27:26

26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

Matthew 27:26 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
English Standard Version (ESV)
26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.
New Living Translation (NLT)
26 So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.
The Message Bible (MSG)
26 Then he pardoned Barabbas. But he had Jesus whipped, and then handed over for crucifixion.
American Standard Version (ASV)
26 Then released he unto them Barabbas; but Jesus he scourged and delivered to be crucified.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
26 Then Pilate freed Barabbas for the people. But he had Jesus whipped and handed over to be crucified.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
26 Pilate let Barabbas go free. But he had Jesus whipped. Then he handed him over to be nailed to a cross.

Matthew 27:26 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 27:26

Then released he Barabbas unto them
The seditious person, robber, and murderer, for which crimes he was in prison. This man was an emblem of the persons for whom Christ suffered, both in his character and in his release: in his character; for they are such as have rebelled against God, robbed him of his glory, and destroyed themselves; many of them are notorious sinners, the chief of sinners, and all of them by nature, children of wrath, as others; and as the descendants of Adam, under the sentence of condemnation and death; and yet in Christ, they are children of Abba, Father; being of God predestinated by him, to the adoption of children: and in his release; for when Christ was apprehended, they were let go; when he was bound they were loosed; when he was condemned, they were released, and acquitted; and when the sword of justice was awaked against him, the hand of grace and mercy was turned upon them.

And when he had scourged Jesus;
which was done some time before his examination, trial, and condemnation were over, though mentioned here, as appears from ( John 19:1 ) , and was done by Pilate, in order to move the pity and compassion of the Jews; hoping they would have been satisfied with it, and not have resisted upon his death: and he indeed moved it to them, that he might chastise him and let him go, ( Luke 23:22 ) , but nothing would do but crucifixion. Whether the previous scourging sufficed, or whether he was not scourged again upon his condemnation, is not certain: if he was scourged twice, John may be thought to relate the one, and Matthew the other; for certain it is, that it was usual with the Romans to scourge either with rods or whips, just before crucifixion F23: our Lord was scourged with whips, as the word here used shows. Persons of birth and blood, and freemen of Rome, were beaten with rods; but such as were servants, which form Christ had taken, were scourged with whips; to which, sometimes were fastened, the hip bones of beasts {x}; so that this kind of whipping, was very severe and cruel. The Jews themselves own this scourging of Jesus, only they ascribe it to the elders of Jerusalem, and relate it thus F25:

``the elders of Jerusalem took Jesus, and brought him to the city, and bound him to a marble pillar in the city, (Myjwvb) (whwkyw) , "and smote him with whips", or "whipped him"; and said unto him, where are all thy miracles which thou hast done?''

Hereby the prophecy in ( Isaiah 1:6 ) , and our Lord's prediction in ( Matthew 20:19 ) , had their accomplishment. This scourging of Christ, was an emblem of the scourges and strokes of divine justice, which he endured in his soul, as the surety of his people; being smitten of God by the sword of justice, as he stood in their place and stead, and stricken for their transgressions; and may furnish out several instructions: as that it is no wonder, if any of the followers of Christ have, do, or shall, meet with such like treatment from men; and that it becomes them to bear patiently the scourges of their heavenly Father, since these are in love; and that they need not fear being trodden down, or carried away by the overflowing scourge of God's wrath, since Christ has endured this in their room. This being done,

he delivered him to be crucified;
either into the hands of the Jews, to their will and at their request; or into the hands of his soldiers, to execute the sentence he passed upon him; which was done in a judicial way, and according to the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God.


FOOTNOTES:

F23 Lipsius de Cruce l. 2. c. 2.
F24 Ib. c. 3.
F25 Toldos Jesu, p. 17.

Matthew 27:26 In-Context

24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”
25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”
26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him.
28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him,

Cross References 1

  • 1. Isaiah 53:5; John 19:1
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