But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

MATTHEW 27:20KJV
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Matthew 27:20 (KJV)

What does Matthew 27:20 mean?

Matthew 27:20 describes how the chief priests and elders convinced the gathered crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released instead of Jesus, and to call for Jesus to be put to death. The verse shows that the religious leaders actively influenced the people's choice during Jesus’ trial before Pilate.

The setting is the Roman governor Pilate’s court, where a crowd has gathered for the Passover custom of releasing a prisoner. The chief priests and elders, who were respected leaders among the Jews, are not just passively observing but are persuading the crowd to demand Barabbas’s release and Jesus’s execution. This verse highlights the leaders’ role in steering public opinion against Jesus.

The Greek behind Matthew 27:20

  • πείθω (peithō, "persuaded"): This Greek word means to convince or influence someone’s thinking or decision. The use of this word shows the leaders were not simply suggesting, but actively working to sway the crowd’s will.
  • ἀπολέσωσιν (apolesōsin, "destroy"): This word can mean to destroy, kill, or put to death. It emphasizes the seriousness of what the leaders were urging—the complete removal of Jesus, not just punishment or imprisonment.

Why Matthew 27:20 matters

  • Matthew 27:20 clarifies that the decision to call for Jesus’s death was not just a spontaneous crowd reaction, but was shaped by the deliberate actions of the religious authorities.
  • The verse helps explain why the crowd, who had welcomed Jesus days earlier, now turns against him; it was due to the influence of trusted leaders.
  • This moment sets up the events that follow, showing the contrast between Barabbas, a known prisoner, and Jesus, and highlighting the injustice of the choice being made.

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.

“persuaded” Greek G3982 · used in 55 verses

  • Matthew 27:43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
  • Acts 23:21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.
  • Galatians 5:10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

“elders” Greek G4245 · used in 67 verses

  • Matthew 15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
  • Luke 20:1 And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,
  • 1 Timothy 5:2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

“ask” Greek G154 · used in 68 verses

  • Matthew 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
  • Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
  • Acts 3:2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;