Matthew Chapter 27 · Verse 26
Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
Original Language Analysis
τότε
Then
G5119
τότε
Then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
1 of 12
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
ἀπέλυσεν
released he
G630
ἀπέλυσεν
released he
Strong's:
G630
Word #:
2 of 12
to free fully, i.e., (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 12
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 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
8 of 12
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
φραγελλώσας
when he had scourged
G5417
φραγελλώσας
when he had scourged
Strong's:
G5417
Word #:
9 of 12
to whip, i.e., lash as a public punishment
παρέδωκεν
he delivered
G3860
παρέδωκεν
he delivered
Strong's:
G3860
Word #:
10 of 12
to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit
Cross References
Isaiah 53:5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.John 19:1Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.Mark 15:15And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.Isaiah 50:6I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.Luke 23:16I will therefore chastise him, and release him.Mark 10:34And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.Matthew 20:19And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.1 Peter 2:24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.John 19:16Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
Historical Context
Roman verberatio (severe flogging) preceded crucifixion to hasten death. Victims were stripped, bound to a post, and beaten across the back, buttocks, and legs. The flagellum (scourge) caused deep lacerations, heavy bleeding, and shock.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Barabbas walking free while Jesus went to crucifixion personally picture your own salvation?
- What does the physical horror of scourging reveal about the cost of your redemption and the depth of Christ's love?
Analysis & Commentary
Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified (φραγελλώσας... παρέδωκεν ἵνα σταυρωθῇ)—Roman scourging (phragellōsas, flogging) used a flagrum—leather whips embedded with bone/metal that shredded flesh. Many died from scourging alone. This fulfilled Isaiah 53:5: 'with his stripes we are healed.'
The innocent suffered for the guilty—Barabbas walked free while Jesus went to the cross. This is substitutionary atonement enacted: the righteous for the unrighteous (1 Peter 3:18). Every believer is Barabbas—guilty, condemned, freed because Another took our place.