Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

MATTHEW 27:26KJV
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Matthew 27:26 (KJV)

What does Matthew 27:26 mean?

Matthew 27:26 describes how Pilate, the Roman governor, released Barabbas to the crowd and then had Jesus whipped before handing him over to be crucified. This verse marks the moment when Jesus is officially sentenced to death, even though he had been found innocent by Pilate.

In this scene, Pilate is responding to the demands of the gathered crowd, who chose to have Barabbas, a known prisoner, set free instead of Jesus. The act of scourging—whipping with a leather lash—was a brutal Roman punishment often given before crucifixion. Matthew 27:26 shows the transition from Jesus being on trial to being led away for execution, highlighting the injustice and suffering he endured.

The Greek behind Matthew 27:26

  • "Scourged" (ἐμαστίγωσεν, emastigōsen): This Greek word means to whip or flog severely. In Roman practice, this was a violent punishment that often left the victim bloodied and weakened, making the following crucifixion even more agonizing.
  • "Delivered" (παρέδωκεν, paredōken): This word means to hand over or give up someone to another's control. Here, it emphasizes Pilate's action of officially transferring Jesus into the hands of those who would crucify him, showing a deliberate decision rather than a passive act.
  • "Crucified" (σταυρωθῇ, staurōthē): This verb means to be nailed or fastened to a cross. The Greek word carries the sense of a specific, public, and humiliating form of execution used by the Romans for criminals and rebels.

Why Matthew 27:26 matters

  • Matthew 27:26 clarifies that Pilate did not simply allow Jesus to be crucified but actively ordered the brutal process, including scourging, before the execution.
  • The verse highlights the injustice of the situation: Barabbas, a known prisoner, is released, while Jesus, whom Pilate found no fault in, is condemned.
  • This moment connects directly to the larger narrative of Jesus’ suffering and sets the stage for the events of the crucifixion, showing the fulfillment of Jesus’ earlier predictions about his death.