Matthew 27:21
The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
Original Language Analysis
ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
G611
ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
1 of 17
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡγεμὼν
The governor
G2232
ἡγεμὼν
The governor
Strong's:
G2232
Word #:
4 of 17
a leader, i.e., chief person (or figuratively, place) of a province
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 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
Τίνα
Whether
G5101
Τίνα
Whether
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
7 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 #:
8 of 17
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
ἀπὸ
of
G575
ἀπὸ
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
9 of 17
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπολύσω
that I release
G630
ἀπολύσω
that I release
Strong's:
G630
Word #:
12 of 17
to free fully, i.e., (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Roman crowd dynamics could quickly turn violent. Pilate faced potential riot (27:24) and couldn't risk Caesar hearing of disturbances during Passover. His prefecture was already troubled; Tiberius would not tolerate another incident.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways do you choose 'Barabbas' in daily decisions—preferring sin, rebellion, or self over Christ?
- How does the crowd's choice reveal the depth of human depravity apart from God's grace?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas (Τὸν Βαραββᾶν)—The stark, unelaborated response shows mob mentality's power. No deliberation, no debate—just the demand for the rebel. The Greek article ton (the) emphasizes decisiveness: THE Barabbas, not the Christ.
This choice epitomizes humanity's rebellion: choosing sin over salvation, death over life, the murderer over the Life-Giver (Acts 3:14-15). Every sinner who rejects Christ makes the same choice—preferring their own way over God's provision.