Mark 15:6

6 Now at the Festival it was customary for Pilate to release to the Jews any one prisoner whom they might beg off from punishment;

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 Pilate again and again asked Him, "Do you make no reply? Listen to the many charges they are bringing against you."

5 But Jesus made no further answer: so that Pilate wondered.

6 Now at the Festival it was customary for Pilate to release to the Jews any one prisoner whom they might beg off from punishment;

7 and at this time a man named Barabbas was in prison among the insurgents--persons who in the insurrection had committed murder.

8 So the people came crowding up, asking Pilate to grant them the usual favour.