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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>Matthew 27:21 "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor. "Barabbas," they replied.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/27-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/40_Mat_27_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 27:21 - The Crowd Chooses Barabbas" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Which of the two do you want me to release to you? asked the governor. 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And they said, "Barabbas."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/27.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/27.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/27.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the governor said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/27.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But the governor said to them, &#8220Which of the two do you want me to release for you?&#8221 And they said, &#8220Barabbas.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/27.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But the governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/27.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But the governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/27.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The governor said to them, “Which of the two do you wish me to set free for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/27.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The governor asked them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you? ” “Barabbas! ” they answered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/27.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The governor asked them, &#8220Which of the two do you want me to release for you?"&#8221 Barabbas!&#8221 they answered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/27.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But the governor answered and said unto them, Which of the two will ye that I release unto you? And they said, Barabbas.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/27.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Pilate asked the crowd again, "Which of these two men do you want me to set free?" "Barabbas!" they shouted. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/27.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But the governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? And they said, Barabbas.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/27.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The governor asked them, "Which of the two do you want me to free for you?" They said, "Barabbas."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/27.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But Pilate asked the crowd, "Which one of these two do you want me to set free for you?" "Barabbas!" they answered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/27.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So the governor asked them, "Which of the two men do you want me to release for you?" "Barabbas!" they replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/27.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Which of the two do you want me to release to you?? asked the governor. ?Barabbas,? they replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/27.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The governor asked them, "Which of the two do you want me to release for you?" And they said, "Barabbas!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/27.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But the governor answered them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said, "Barabbas."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/27.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The governor answered and said to them, Which of the two will ye that I release to you? They said, Barabbas.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/27.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />So when the Governor a second time asked them, "Which of the two shall I release to you?" --they cried, "Barabbas!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/27.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But the governor answered them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/27.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and the governor answering said to them, “Which of the two will you [that] I may release to you?” And they said, “Barabbas.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/27.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And the governor answering said to them, "Which of the two do you desire <i>that</i> I release to you?" And they said, "Barabbas."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/27.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the governor answering said to them, 'Which of the two will ye that I shall release to you?' And they said, 'Barabbas.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/27.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the leader having answered, said to them, Which of the two will ye I shall loose to you? And they said, Barabbas.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/27.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the governor answering, said to them: Whether will you of the two to be released unto you? But they said, Barabbas. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/27.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then, in response, the procurator said to them, “Which of the two do you want to be released to you?” But they said to him, “Barabbas.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/27.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The governor said to them in reply, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They answered, “Barabbas!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/27.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/27.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the governor answered and said to them, Which of these two do you want me to release to you? They said, Bar-Abbas.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/27.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And the Governor answered and said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you of the two?” But they said, “Barabba.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/27.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />The governor answered and said to them: Which of the two do you wish me to release to you? They replied: Barabbas.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/27.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And the governor responding said to them, Which of the two do you wish that I shall release unto you? And they said Barabbas.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/27.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />The governor repeating the question, said to them, Which of the two will ye that I release unto you? They said Barabbas.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/27.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />the governor therefore having asked, which of the two would you have me release? they said, Barabbas.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/27.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />So when the Governor a second time asked them, "Which of the two shall I release to you?" --they cried, "Barabbas!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/27.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And the governor, answering, said to them, "Which of the two do ye desire that I should release to you?" And they said, Barabbas."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/27.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />And the governor said to them, Which of the two would you have me release to you? and they said, Barabbas.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/27-21.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/hriiyJYqzvc?start=8693" 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/matthew/27.htm">The Crowd Chooses Barabbas</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Tina (IPro-AMS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">“Which</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: apo (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses.">of</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1417.htm" title="1417: dyo (Adj-GMP) -- Two. A primary numeral; two.">two</a> <a href="/greek/2309.htm" title="2309: thelete (V-PIA-2P) -- To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. ">do you want</a> <a href="/greek/630.htm" title="630: apolysō (V-ASA-1S) -- From apo and luo; to free fully, i.e. relieve, release, dismiss, or let die, pardon or divorce.">me to release</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">to you?”</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/611.htm" title="611: Apokritheis (V-APP-NMS) -- From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.">asked</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2232.htm" title="2232: hēgemōn (N-NMS) -- From hegeomai; a leader, i.e. Chief person of a province.">governor.</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">“</a> <a href="/greek/912.htm" title="912: Barabban (N-AMS) -- Barabbas. Of Chaldee origin; son of Abba; Bar-abbas, an Israelite.">Barabbas,”</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipan (V-AIA-3P) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">they replied.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">22</span>“What then should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify Him!”…<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="/mark/15-9.htm">Mark 15:9-11</a></span><br />“Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” Pilate asked. / For he knew it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over. / But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas to them instead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/23-18.htm">Luke 23:18-20</a></span><br />But they all cried out in unison: “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” / (Barabbas had been imprisoned for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) / Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again,<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/19-15.htm">John 19:15</a></span><br />At this, they shouted, “Away with Him! Away with Him! Crucify Him!” “Shall I crucify your King?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” replied the chief priests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/20-18.htm">Matthew 20:18-19</a></span><br />“Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death / and will deliver Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. And on the third day He will be raised to life.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Isaiah 53:3</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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/11-12.htm">Zechariah 11:12-13</a></span><br />Then I told them, “If it seems right to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” So they weighed out my wages, thirty pieces of silver. / And the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—this magnificent price at which they valued me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/22-6.htm">Psalm 22:6-8</a></span><br />But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. / All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads: / “He trusts in the LORD, let the LORD deliver him; let the LORD rescue him, since He delights in him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-11.htm">John 1:11</a></span><br />He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.<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="/matthew/21-42.htm">Matthew 21:42</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/118-22.htm">Psalm 118:22-23</a></span><br />The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. / This is from the LORD, and it is marvelous in our eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-4.htm">1 Peter 2:4</a></span><br />As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-66.htm">Matthew 26:66</a></span><br />What do you think?” “He deserves to die,” they answered.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The governor answered and said to them, Whether of the two will you that I release to you? They said, Barabbas.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/27-20.htm">Barabbas</a> <a href="/matthew/27-20.htm">Barab'bas</a> <a href="/matthew/25-11.htm">Cried</a> <a href="/matthew/27-15.htm">Free</a> <a href="/matthew/27-15.htm">Governor</a> <a href="/matthew/26-42.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/matthew/27-17.htm">Release</a> <a href="/matthew/27-15.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/matthew/26-42.htm">Second</a> <a href="/matthew/27-16.htm">Time</a> <a href="/matthew/21-31.htm">Twain</a> <a href="/matthew/27-17.htm">Want</a> <a href="/matthew/26-63.htm">Whether</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/27-26.htm">Barabbas</a> <a href="/matthew/27-26.htm">Barab'bas</a> <a href="/matthew/27-23.htm">Cried</a> <a href="/matthew/27-26.htm">Free</a> <a href="/matthew/27-23.htm">Governor</a> <a href="/mark/1-40.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/matthew/27-26.htm">Release</a> <a href="/mark/3-22.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/mark/3-16.htm">Second</a> <a href="/matthew/27-38.htm">Time</a> <a href="/matthew/27-51.htm">Twain</a> <a href="/mark/1-24.htm">Want</a> <a href="/matthew/27-49.htm">Whether</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 27</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/27-1.htm">Jesus is delivered bound to Pilate.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/27-3.htm">Judas hangs himself.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/27-19.htm">Pilate, admonished of his wife,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/27-20.htm">and being urged by the multitude, washes his hands, and releases Barabbas.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/27-27.htm">Jesus is mocked and crowned with thorns;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/27-33.htm">crucified;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">39. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/27-39.htm">reviled;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">50. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/27-50.htm">dies, and is buried;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">62. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/27-62.htm">his tomb is sealed and watched.</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/matthew/27.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/27.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Which of the two do you want me to release to you?</b><br>This question is posed by Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, during the trial of Jesus. Pilate's role as governor included maintaining order and administering justice, often involving difficult decisions to appease both Roman authorities and local populations. The choice presented to the crowd reflects a custom during the Passover festival where a prisoner could be released, symbolizing mercy and freedom. This practice is not detailed in Jewish law but is understood as a Roman concession to the Jewish people. The choice between Jesus and Barabbas is significant, as it highlights the stark contrast between the two figures: Jesus, the innocent and righteous one, and Barabbas, a known criminal. This moment underscores the theme of substitutionary atonement, where the innocent suffers in place of the guilty.<p><b>asked the governor.</b><br>Pontius Pilate, as the Roman governor, held significant authority over the region. His involvement in the trial of Jesus is crucial, as it fulfills the prophecy of Jesus being handed over to the Gentiles (<a href="/matthew/20-19.htm">Matthew 20:19</a>). Pilate's questioning reflects his attempt to navigate the political tensions between maintaining Roman authority and placating the Jewish leaders and populace. His role in the trial is marked by indecision and attempts to absolve himself of responsibility, as seen in his symbolic washing of hands (<a href="/matthew/27-24.htm">Matthew 27:24</a>).<p><b>“Barabbas,” they replied.</b><br>Barabbas, whose name means "son of the father," is described in the Gospels as a notorious prisoner involved in insurrection and murder (<a href="/mark/15-7.htm">Mark 15:7</a>, <a href="/luke/23-19.htm">Luke 23:19</a>). The crowd's choice of Barabbas over Jesus is a profound moment of irony and tragedy, as they choose a violent revolutionary over the Prince of Peace. This decision reflects the spiritual blindness and rejection of Jesus as the Messiah by the people, fulfilling the prophecy of <a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Isaiah 53:3</a>, where the suffering servant is despised and rejected. The release of Barabbas instead of Jesus serves as a powerful illustration of the gospel message: the guilty are set free while the innocent takes their place, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for the sins of humanity.<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 depicted as a conflicted leader, trying to appease the crowd while recognizing Jesus' innocence.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/barabbas.htm">Barabbas</a></b><br>A notorious prisoner chosen by the crowd to be released instead of Jesus. His name means "son of the father," which is ironic given the choice between him and Jesus, the true Son of the Father.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_crowd.htm">The Crowd</a></b><br>The assembly of people in Jerusalem who were influenced by the chief priests and elders to demand the release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The central figure of the Christian faith, who is unjustly condemned to crucifixion despite His innocence.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where these events took place, significant in Jewish history and prophecy, and the location of Jesus' crucifixion.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_human_choice.htm">The Nature of Human Choice</a></b><br>The crowd's choice of Barabbas over Jesus reflects the human tendency to choose sin and rebellion over righteousness. This calls us to examine our own choices and align them with God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_irony_of_substitution.htm">The Irony of Substitution</a></b><br>Barabbas, a guilty man, is set free while Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God, is condemned. This illustrates the substitutionary atonement of Christ, who took our place on the cross.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/influence_and_responsibility.htm">Influence and Responsibility</a></b><br>The crowd was swayed by the religious leaders, reminding us of the importance of discernment and personal responsibility in our decisions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_redemption.htm">God's Sovereignty in Redemption</a></b><br>Despite the apparent injustice, God's redemptive plan was fulfilled through Jesus' crucifixion. This reassures us of God's control and purpose in our lives, even in difficult circumstances.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_27.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 27</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_barabbas_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Barabbas in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_responsible_for_christ's_death.htm">Who is accountable for the death of Christ?</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/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><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/27.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Answered</span>, to the various cries which reached him. <span class="cmt_word">Whether of the twain?</span> <span class="accented">Which of the two?</span> He repeats the question before asked (ver. 17), having given the multitude time for deliberation, and offering them no alternative but to choose one of these two prisoners. <span class="cmt_word">Barabbas.</span> They prefer a murderer to the Prince of life - a selection on their part guilty and malevolent, but on the part of God necessary for our salvation (Quesnel). Truly, Jesus "was despised and rejected of men." If he had been released now, his liberation would not have been, as it ought to have been, an act of simple justice, but an imperial concession, an act of grace, in which the character of the prisoner was not regarded. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/27-21.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">“Which</span><br /><span class="grk">Τίνα</span> <span class="translit">(Tina)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀπὸ</span> <span class="translit">(apo)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> </span><span class="str2">From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τῶν</span> <span class="translit">(tōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">two</span><br /><span class="grk">δύο</span> <span class="translit">(dyo)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1417.htm">Strong's 1417: </a> </span><span class="str2">Two. A primary numeral; 'two'.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do you want</span><br /><span class="grk">θέλετε</span> <span class="translit">(thelete)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2309.htm">Strong's 2309: </a> </span><span class="str2">To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">me to release</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀπολύσω</span> <span class="translit">(apolysō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_630.htm">Strong's 630: </a> </span><span class="str2">From apo and luo; to free fully, i.e. relieve, release, dismiss, or let die, pardon or divorce.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to you?”</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑμῖν</span> <span class="translit">(hymin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">asked</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἀποκριθεὶς</span> <span class="translit">(Apokritheis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_611.htm">Strong's 611: </a> </span><span class="str2">From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">ὁ</span> <span class="translit">(ho)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">governor.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἡγεμὼν</span> <span class="translit">(hēgemōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2232.htm">Strong's 2232: </a> </span><span class="str2">From hegeomai; a leader, i.e. Chief person of a province.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Barabbas,”</span><br /><span class="grk">Βαραββᾶν</span> <span class="translit">(Barabban)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_912.htm">Strong's 912: </a> </span><span class="str2">Barabbas. Of Chaldee origin; son of Abba; Bar-abbas, an Israelite.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they replied.</span><br /><span class="grk">εἶπαν</span> <span class="translit">(eipan)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> </span><span class="str2">Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/27-21.htm">Matthew 27:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/27-21.htm">Matthew 27:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/27-21.htm">Matthew 27:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/27-21.htm">Matthew 27:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/27-21.htm">Matthew 27:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/27-21.htm">Matthew 27:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/27-21.htm">Matthew 27:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/27-21.htm">Matthew 27:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/27-21.htm">Matthew 27:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/27-21.htm">Matthew 27:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/27-21.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 27:21 But the governor answered them Which (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/27-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 27:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 27:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/27-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 27:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 27:22" /></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>