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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Luke 23:17 (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/23-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/42_Luk_23_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 23:17 - The Crowd Chooses Barabbas" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="(For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)" /><script type="application/javascript" 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width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/luke/23-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/luke/">Luke</a> > <a href="/luke/23.htm">Chapter 23</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/luke/23-16.htm" title="Luke 23:16">◄</a> Luke 23:17 <a href="/luke/23-18.htm" title="Luke 23:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/luke/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/luke/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />(For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/luke/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />(for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/luke/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />[Now he was obligated to release to them at the feast one <i>prisoner.</i>]<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/luke/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now he was obliged to release to them at the feast one prisoner.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/luke/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />[Now he was obliged to release to them at the feast one prisoner.]<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/luke/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />[Now he was obliged to release to them at the feast one prisoner.]<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/luke/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />[Now he was obligated to release to them one prisoner at the Feast.]<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/luke/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For according to the festival he had to release someone to them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/luke/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />- - -<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/luke/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/luke/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Now he was obligated to release someone for them at the festival.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/luke/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Pilate was obliged to release to the people one prisoner at the feast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/luke/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />(Now he had to release one prisoner to them at the feast.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/luke/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />(For of necessity he must release one to them at the feast.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/luke/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now he had to release one prisoner to them at the feast. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/luke/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />[[for it was necessary for him to release to them one at every celebration,]]<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/luke/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> for it was necessary for him to release to them one at every feast,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/luke/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />(And he had necessity to loose one at the festival.)<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/luke/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Now of necessity he was to release unto them one upon the feast day. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/luke/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now he was required to release one person for them on the feast day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/luke/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />] <div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/luke/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For there was a custom to release to them one at the feast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/23.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />For it was a custom to release them one prisoner at the feast.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/luke/23.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />For it was necessary that he should release to them one at the feast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/luke/23.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/luke/23.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />(Now he held it necessary to release one to them at the feast.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/luke/23.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />now as it was customary for the governor to release one of the prisoners at the feast;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/luke/23.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><i>OMITTED TEXT.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/luke/23.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Now he was obliged to release one to them at the feast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/luke/23-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=9168" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/luke/23.htm">The Crowd Chooses Barabbas</a></span><br>……<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-15.htm">Matthew 27:15-26</a></span><br />Now it was the governor’s custom at the feast to release to the crowd a prisoner of their choosing. / At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. / So when the crowd had assembled, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/15-6.htm">Mark 15:6-15</a></span><br />Now it was Pilate’s custom at the feast to release to the people a prisoner of their choosing. / And a man named Barabbas was imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. / So the crowd went up and began asking Pilate to keep his custom. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/18-39.htm">John 18:39-40</a></span><br />But it is your custom that I release to you one prisoner at the Passover. So then, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” / “Not this man,” they shouted, “but Barabbas!” (Now Barabbas was an insurrectionist.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/3-13.htm">Acts 3:13-14</a></span><br />The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus. You handed Him over and rejected Him before Pilate, even though he had decided to release Him. / You rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-16.htm">John 19:16</a></span><br />Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified, and the soldiers took Him away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-5.htm">Matthew 26:5</a></span><br />“But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/14-2.htm">Mark 14:2</a></span><br />“But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/18-28.htm">John 18:28-32</a></span><br />Then they led Jesus away from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. By now it was early morning, and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium, to avoid being defiled and unable to eat the Passover. / So Pilate went out to them and asked, “What accusation are you bringing against this man?” / “If He were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed Him over to you.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-28.htm">Acts 13:28</a></span><br />And though they found no ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have Him executed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Isaiah 53:3-7</a></span><br />He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. / Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. / But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/22-16.htm">Psalm 22:16-18</a></span><br />For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet. / I can count all my bones; they stare and gloat over me. / They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/9-9.htm">Zechariah 9:9</a></span><br />Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/50-6.htm">Isaiah 50:6</a></span><br />I offered My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/69-4.htm">Psalm 69:4</a></span><br />Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those who would destroy me—my enemies for no reason. Though I did not steal, I must repay.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-12.htm">Isaiah 53:12</a></span><br />Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">(For of necessity he must release one to them at the feast.)</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/27-15.htm">Matthew 27:15</a></b></br> Now at <i>that</i> feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/15-6.htm">Mark 15:6</a></b></br> Now at <i>that</i> feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/18-39.htm">John 18:39</a></b></br> But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/22-1.htm">Feast</a> <a href="/luke/17-1.htm">Necessary</a> <a href="/luke/14-18.htm">Necessity</a> <a href="/luke/21-9.htm">Needs</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/9-25.htm">Obliged</a> <a href="/mark/15-6.htm">Prisoner</a> <a href="/luke/23-16.htm">Release</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/2-8.htm">Feast</a> <a href="/luke/24-26.htm">Necessary</a> <a href="/luke/24-26.htm">Necessity</a> <a href="/john/4-4.htm">Needs</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/9-25.htm">Obliged</a> <a href="/john/18-39.htm">Prisoner</a> <a href="/luke/23-18.htm">Release</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/23-1.htm">Jesus is accused before Pilate, and sent to Herod.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/23-8.htm">Herod mocks him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/23-12.htm">Herod and Pilate become friends.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/23-13.htm">Barabbas is desired of the people, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/23-24.htm">and is released by Pilate, and Jesus is given to be crucified.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/23-26.htm">He tells the women, that lament him, the destruction of Jerusalem;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/23-34.htm">prays for his enemies.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">39. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/23-39.htm">Two criminals are crucified with him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">46. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/23-46.htm">His death.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">50. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/23-50.htm">His burial.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Now Pilate was obliged</b><br>Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, was in a position of authority but faced political pressure from the Jewish leaders and the crowd. His obligation was not a legal requirement but a customary practice to maintain peace during the volatile time of Passover. This reflects the tension between Roman authority and Jewish customs.<p><b>to release to the people</b><br>The practice of releasing a prisoner was a gesture to appease the Jewish populace during Passover, a major Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' liberation from Egyptian slavery. This act was meant to symbolize mercy and goodwill, aligning with the themes of liberation and redemption celebrated during the feast.<p><b>one prisoner</b><br>The choice of releasing a prisoner highlights the stark contrast between Jesus, who was innocent, and Barabbas, a known criminal. This decision underscores the miscarriage of justice and the moral blindness of the crowd, who chose Barabbas over Jesus. It also serves as a type of substitutionary atonement, where the innocent suffers in place of the guilty.<p><b>at the feast</b><br>The Passover feast was a time of heightened nationalistic fervor and religious significance for the Jewish people. The timing of Jesus' trial and crucifixion during Passover is significant, as it fulfills the typology of Jesus as the Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice brings deliverance from sin, paralleling the original Passover's deliverance from physical bondage.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/pontius_pilate.htm">Pontius Pilate</a></b><br>The Roman governor of Judea who presided over the trial of Jesus. He is known for his role in the crucifixion of Jesus, despite finding no fault in Him.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The central figure of Christianity, who is on trial and facing crucifixion. He is the innocent Lamb of God, fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/barabbas.htm">Barabbas</a></b><br>A prisoner who was chosen by the crowd to be released instead of Jesus. He was known for insurrection and murder.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_feast.htm">The Feast</a></b><br>Refers to the Passover, a significant Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt. It was customary for the Roman governor to release a prisoner to the people during this time.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_crowd.htm">The Crowd</a></b><br>The assembly of people present at Jesus' trial, who were given the choice to release either Jesus or Barabbas.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_injustice_of_man.htm">The Injustice of Man</a></b><br>The choice to release Barabbas over Jesus highlights the fallen nature of humanity and the injustice that can prevail in human systems. Reflect on how we can stand for justice in our own lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_fulfillment_of_prophecy.htm">The Fulfillment of Prophecy</a></b><br>Jesus' trial and crucifixion were foretold in the Scriptures. This event underscores the sovereignty of God and the fulfillment of His redemptive plan. Trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem unjust.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_substitutionary_sacrifice.htm">The Substitutionary Sacrifice</a></b><br>Barabbas, a guilty man, was set free while Jesus, the innocent, was condemned. This is a powerful illustration of the substitutionary atonement of Christ, who took our place on the cross. Embrace the freedom and forgiveness offered through Jesus' sacrifice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_choice.htm">The Power of Choice</a></b><br>The crowd's choice reflects the daily decisions we make regarding Jesus. Consider how we choose to follow or reject Christ in our actions and priorities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_tradition.htm">The Role of Tradition</a></b><br>Pilate's adherence to the custom of releasing a prisoner shows how traditions can influence decisions. Evaluate the traditions in your life and ensure they align with biblical principles.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_mark_15_align_with_other_gospels.htm">How do the events described in Mark 15 align with differing crucifixion accounts in the other Gospels?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_historical_proof_of_passover_release.htm">In Matthew 27:15–26, the tradition of releasing a prisoner at Passover is mentioned; where is the historical evidence for this practice? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_jesus_ascend_to_paradise_that_day.htm">Did Jesus ascend to Paradise on the crucifixion day? Yes, per Luke 23:43. No, per John 20:17.</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/key_events_in_jesus's_life.htm">What were the key events in Jesus Christ's life?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) <span class= "bld">For of necessity he must release one unto them.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">he had a necessity.</span> The better MSS. are singularly divided as to this verse. Most omit it altogether. One, followed by some of the versions, has it after <a href="/luke/23-19.htm" title="(Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)">Luke 23:19</a>. It would seem probable from these facts that the narrative was originally written without it, that it was then felt that the release of Barabbas required an explanation, and that a note was first added in the margin, either by a transcriber or by the writer himself in a duplicate copy, and then found its way into the text. The precise form of the phrase, to "have a necessity," is not found in the other Gospels, but is common to St. Luke (<a href="/luke/11-18.htm" title="If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because you say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.">Luke 11:18</a> and here), and St. Paul (<a href="/1_corinthians/7-37.htm" title="Nevertheless he that stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well.">1Corinthians 7:37</a>). It is found also in <a href="/hebrews/7-27.htm" title="Who needs not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.">Hebrews 7:27</a>; Jude <a href="/luke/23-3.htm" title="And Pilate asked him, saying, Are you the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, You say it.">Luke 23:3</a>. On the practice thus described, see Note on <a href="/matthew/27-15.htm" title="Now at that feast the governor was wont to release to the people a prisoner, whom they would.">Matthew 27:15</a>. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - (<span class="cmt_word">For of necessity he must release one unto them at</span> <span class="cmt_word">the feast.</span>) Probably, however, before the scourging was inflicted, the attempt to liberate Jesus in accordance with a custom belonging to that feast was made by Pilate. We know it failed, and a condemned robber called Barabbas was preferred by the people. The more ancient authorities omit this verse (17). It probably was introduced at an early period into many manuscripts of St. Luke as a marginal. gloss, as an explanatory statement based on the words of <a href="/matthew/27-15.htm">Matthew 27:15</a> or of <a href="/mark/15-6.htm">Mark 15:6</a>. As a Hebrew custom, it is never mentioned save in this place. Such a release was a common incident of a Latin Lectisternium, or feast in honour of the gods. The Greeks had a similar custom at the Thesmophoria. It was probably introduced at Jerusalem by the Roman power. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/luke/23-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Now</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A weak adversative particle, generally placed second in its clause; but, on the other hand, and.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of necessity</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἀνάγκην</span> <span class="translit">(Anankēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_318.htm">Strong's 318: </a> </span><span class="str2">Necessity, constraint, compulsion; there is need to; force, violence.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he had</span><br /><span class="grk">εἴχεν</span> <span class="translit">(eichen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have, hold, possess.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to release</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀπολύειν</span> <span class="translit">(apolyein)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_630.htm">Strong's 630: </a> </span><span class="str2">To release, let go, send away, divorce, to be rid; to depart.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to them</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτοῖς</span> <span class="translit">(autois)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one</span><br /><span class="grk">ἕνα</span> <span class="translit">(hena)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1520.htm">Strong's 1520: </a> </span><span class="str2">One.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at</span><br /><span class="grk">κατὰ</span> <span class="translit">(kata)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2596.htm">Strong's 2596: </a> </span><span class="str2">Genitive: against, down from, throughout, by; accusative: over against, among, daily, day-by-day, each day, according to, by way of.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[the] feast.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἑορτὴν</span> <span class="translit">(heortēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1859.htm">Strong's 1859: </a> </span><span class="str2">A festival, feast, periodically recurring.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/23-17.htm">Luke 23:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/luke/23-17.htm">Luke 23:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/luke/23-17.htm">Luke 23:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/luke/23-17.htm">Luke 23:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/luke/23-17.htm">Luke 23:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/23-17.htm">Luke 23:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/23-17.htm">Luke 23:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/23-17.htm">Luke 23:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/luke/23-17.htm">Luke 23:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/luke/23-17.htm">Luke 23:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/luke/23-17.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 23:17 Now he had to release one prisoner (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/23-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 23:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 23:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/23-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 23:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 23:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>