Matthew 27:17
Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
Original Language Analysis
συνηγμένων
when they were gathered together
G4863
συνηγμένων
when they were gathered together
Strong's:
G4863
Word #:
1 of 17
to lead together, i.e., collect or convene; specially, to entertain (hospitably)
οὖν
Therefore
G3767
οὖν
Therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 17
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 17
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
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 17
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
which
G3588
τὸν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Τίνα
Whom
G5101
Τίνα
Whom
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
8 of 17
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
θέλετε
will ye
G2309
θέλετε
will ye
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
9 of 17
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
ἀπολύσω
that I release
G630
ἀπολύσω
that I release
Strong's:
G630
Word #:
10 of 17
to free fully, i.e., (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
14 of 17
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τὸν
which
G3588
τὸν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
John 19:15But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.Joshua 24:15And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.1 Kings 18:21And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
Historical Context
The gathered crowd likely included chief priests' supporters, not the masses who welcomed Jesus on Palm Sunday (Matthew 21:9). Religious leaders manipulated public opinion, showing how mob dynamics can quickly turn from 'Hosanna' to 'Crucify.'
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways do you still choose 'Barabbas'—rebellion, self-will, sin—over submitting to Christ's lordship?
- How does the crowd's fickleness warn against following popular opinion rather than truth?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? (Βαραββᾶν ἢ Ἰησοῦν τὸν λεγόμενον Χριστόν;)—Pilate forced the choice into stark relief: the rebel or the Christ (Christos, Messiah/Anointed One). Some manuscripts read 'Jesus Barabbas,' making the choice between two men named Jesus—'son of the father' versus Son of the Father.
This was Pilate's attempt at reductio ad absurdum—surely they wouldn't choose a murderer over their supposed Messiah. But sin's logic is absurd: humanity consistently chooses rebellion over redemption, violence over peace, darkness over Light.