Luke 23:25
And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
Original Language Analysis
ἀπέλυσεν
he released
G630
ἀπέλυσεν
he released
Strong's:
G630
Word #:
1 of 21
to free fully, i.e., (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce
αὐτῶν
to their
G846
αὐτῶν
to their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διὰ
him that for
G1223
διὰ
him that for
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
5 of 21
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
στάσιν
sedition
G4714
στάσιν
sedition
Strong's:
G4714
Word #:
6 of 21
a standing (properly, the act), i.e., (by analogy) position (existence); by implication, a popular uprising; figuratively, controversy
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
βεβλημένον
was cast
G906
βεβλημένον
was cast
Strong's:
G906
Word #:
9 of 21
to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
10 of 21
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φυλακὴν
prison
G5438
φυλακὴν
prison
Strong's:
G5438
Word #:
12 of 21
a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specially), the time (as a division of day or nigh
ὃν
whom
G3739
ὃν
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
13 of 21
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
17 of 21
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
παρέδωκεν
he delivered
G3860
παρέδωκεν
he delivered
Strong's:
G3860
Word #:
18 of 21
to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Pilate's delivery of Jesus 'to their will' transferred responsibility while maintaining technical Roman authority—he issued the execution order, but framed it as yielding to Jewish demands. Crucifixion was distinctly Roman (Jews used stoning), so this remained a Roman execution, yet one performed at Jewish instigation. This dual responsibility (Gentile and Jewish) fulfilled prophetic Scripture and demonstrated universal human guilt in Christ's death.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the exchange of Barabbas and Jesus illustrate the gospel truth that Christ took our place?
- In what ways does Pilate's 'delivering Jesus to their will' paradoxically accomplish the Father's will for our redemption?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison—The guilty goes free. Barabbas, condemned for rebellion and murder (v. 19), receives amnesty while the innocent Lamb faces execution. The Greek construction emphasizes the contrast: ton dia stasin kai phonon beblēmenon eis phylakēn (the one thrown into prison because of insurrection and murder) versus Jesus, about whom Pilate thrice declared 'no fault.' The exchange is complete: the criminal receives the freedom Christ deserved; Christ receives the death Barabbas deserved.
But he delivered Jesus to their will (τὸν δὲ Ἰησοῦν παρέδωκεν τῷ θελήματι αὐτῶν, ton de Iēsoun paredōken tō thelēmati autōn)—Pilate 'handed over' (paredōken, the same word used of Judas's betrayal) Jesus to 'their will/desire' (thelēmati). Yet in surrendering to human thelēma (will), Jesus fulfilled divine thelēma—'not my will, but thine, be done' (22:42). This is substitutionary atonement's clearest historical picture: the guilty released, the innocent condemned, the sinner freed because the Savior died. 'For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him' (2 Corinthians 5:21).