Matthew 27:21

21 "Which of the two do you want me to set free?" asked the governor. "Barabbas," they answered.

Matthew 27:21 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 27:21

The governor answered and said unto them
A second time, after some time had been allowed and taken up to consider of the matter, and which the chief priests and elders improved among the people against Jesus.

Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you?
for as these two were proposed, one of them must be released; and it lay in the breast of the people to choose which they would:

they said, Barabbas;
so that Christ was not only numbered among, and reckoned with transgressors, but he was accounted worse than the worst of them; a seditious person, a robber, and a murderer was preferred before him: see ( Acts 3:14 ) .

Matthew 27:21 In-Context

19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him a message. It said, "Don't have anything to do with that man. He is not guilty. I have suffered a great deal in a dream today because of him."

20 But the chief priests and the elders talked the crowd into asking for Barabbas and having Jesus put to death.

21 "Which of the two do you want me to set free?" asked the governor. "Barabbas," they answered.

22 "Then what should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!"

23 "Why? What wrong has he done?" asked Pilate. But they shouted even louder, "Crucify him!"