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?

MATTHEW 27:17KJV
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Matthew 27:17 (KJV)

What does Matthew 27:17 mean?

Matthew 27:17 describes how Pilate, the Roman governor, publicly asks the gathered crowd to choose whether he should release Barabbas or Jesus, who is called Christ. Pilate puts the decision in the hands of the people, offering them a choice between two prisoners.

In this scene, Pilate is addressing a crowd during the Passover festival, a time when it was customary for the governor to release a prisoner chosen by the people. The two options are Barabbas, a known prisoner, and Jesus, whom Pilate refers to as "Christ," highlighting Jesus' reputation among the people. This moment sets up the dramatic choice that leads to Jesus' crucifixion.

The Greek behind Matthew 27:17

  • Χριστός (Christos): This word means "anointed one" or "Messiah." Pilate’s use of "Jesus which is called Christ" (Ἰησοῦς ὁ λεγόμενος Χριστός, Iēsous ho legomenos Christos) points out that Jesus is known among the people as the Messiah, which adds weight to the choice being offered.
  • ἀπολύσω (apolysō): This verb means "to release." Pilate is not just asking whom to set free, but is formally offering a legal release, emphasizing the official nature of the choice.
  • Βαραββᾶς (Barabbas): The name Barabbas is left untranslated, but it means "son of the father" in Aramaic. The contrast between Barabbas and Jesus, who is called Christ, is sharpened by their names and reputations.

Why Matthew 27:17 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Pilate is not making the decision alone but is deliberately involving the crowd, which shifts responsibility for the outcome onto the people.
  • By calling Jesus "Christ," the verse highlights the tension between Jesus’ identity as the Messiah and the crowd’s willingness to choose someone else over him.
  • The choice between Barabbas and Jesus becomes a turning point in the narrative, showing how public opinion and political pressure influenced the events leading to the crucifixion.

Where else these words appear

“Barabbas” Greek G912 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 27:16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
  • Matthew 27:26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
  • Mark 15:15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

“Pilate” Greek G4091 · used in 53 verses

  • Matthew 27:2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
  • Luke 3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
  • John 18:38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

“together” Greek G4863 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
  • Matthew 27:27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
  • John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

“release” Greek G630 · used in 63 verses

  • Matthew 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
  • Mark 8:9 And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.
  • Luke 23:22 And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.