Luke 23 18

Luke 23:18 kjv

And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:

Luke 23:18 nkjv

And they all cried out at once, saying, "Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas"?

Luke 23:18 niv

But the whole crowd shouted, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!"

Luke 23:18 esv

But they all cried out together, "Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas" ?

Luke 23:18 nlt

Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, "Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!"

Luke 23 verses

Luke 23 18 Meaning

Luke 23:18 records the collective and vehement cry of the multitude, instigated by the religious leaders, to crucify Jesus. Despite Pilate's desire to release Him, the crowd, in a unified and powerful display, demanded that Jesus be taken away to death, and instead, Barabbas—a known insurrectionist and murderer—be released to them. This pivotal moment underscores the stark rejection of God's Anointed One by His own people.

Luke 23 18 Context

Luke chapter 23 opens with Jesus being brought before Pilate, accused of subverting the nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ, a King. Pilate, after examining Jesus, repeatedly declares Him innocent, stating, "I find no fault in this Man" (Luke 23:4). The Jewish leaders, however, press their accusations vehemently. Pilate then sends Jesus to Herod Antipas, who also finds no capital crime in Him. Upon Jesus' return, Pilate attempts to release Him again, proposing to merely "chastise" (flog) Him. This verse (Luke 23:18) occurs as Pilate proposes a solution according to the custom of releasing a prisoner at Passover. The crowd, however, manipulated by the chief priests and scribes, vehemently rejects Pilate's proposal and demands the opposite: the release of Barabbas, an insurgent and murderer, and the crucifixion of Jesus.

Luke 23 18 Word analysis

• But (πᾶς - pas): Here, referring to "all" (from the previously mentioned "whole multitude"). The use of "all" emphasizes the unanimity of the crowd's outcry. This highlights the powerful, pervasive nature of mob mentality and the extent of rejection, showing it wasn't just a small faction but a broad collective voice.
• they cried out (ἀνέκραξαν - anekraxan): From ἀνακράζω (anakrazo), meaning "to cry aloud, shout, shriek." This is a strong, forceful verb indicating a loud, aggressive, and united demand. It conveys the tumultuous and intimidating atmosphere. The sudden, collective shout suggests a profound emotional intensity and fervent desire for Jesus' condemnation.
• all (πᾶς - pas): Again, reinforces the comprehensiveness of the crowd's unified action. It signifies not just a portion, but the entirety of the assembled multitude joining in this one demand.
• at once (ἅμα - hama): Indicates simultaneously or in unison. This describes the synchronous nature of their outburst, suggesting a planned or spontaneously cohesive demand, further enhancing the pressure on Pilate and emphasizing the power of a unified public outcry.
• saying (λέγοντες - legontes): A participle explaining the content of their unified cry.
• Away with (αἶρε - aire): An imperative from αἴρω (airo), which literally means "to lift up, take away, carry." In this context, it functions as an emphatic command for judicial removal and condemnation, equivalent to "take him away [to be executed]" or "put him to death." It implies utter rejection and desire for permanent expulsion, signifying the death sentence. This command is a direct affront to divine authority and represents a strong polemic against Jesus' messianic claims.
• this Man (τοῦτον - touton): A demonstrative pronoun referring specifically to Jesus. The definite article coupled with the demonstrative emphasizes the directness and specificity of their rejection of Him personally. It can also convey a derogatory or dismissive tone.
• and release (ἀπόλυσον - apolyson): An imperative from ἀπολύω (apolyuo), meaning "to release, send away, set free." This is their contrasting demand: that Pilate free a specific prisoner. This directly contradicts Pilate's desire to release Jesus, asserting their own preferred outcome.
• unto us (ἡμῖν - hēmin): Dative plural, meaning "for us" or "to us." It indicates that the demand for Barabbas' release is made explicitly for their benefit or according to their will, demonstrating their active choice and ownership of the request.
• Barabbas (Βαραββᾶν - Barabban): Meaning "son of the father" or "son of a teacher." He is described elsewhere as an insurgent (or "rebel") and murderer (Luke 23:19; Mark 15:7). The crowd's choice of Barabbas over Jesus is profoundly symbolic: they chose a criminal representing human rebellion and violence over the rightful Messiah, the Prince of Peace, fulfilling Old Testament prophetic themes of Israel rejecting its true King (e.g., Isa 53; Zech 11).

Words-Group Analysis:

• "But they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this Man": This phrase captures the intense, unified, and violent rejection of Jesus by the Jewish multitude. The sudden, synchronized nature of their shouting underscores the power of collective frenzy, instigated by the religious leaders (Matt 27:20). It signifies their resolute desire for Jesus' immediate condemnation and removal from their midst. The cry "Away with this Man" implies more than just removal; it is a demand for Him to be put to death, expressing a profound hatred that contrasts sharply with His mission of grace and salvation.
• "and release unto us Barabbas": This second part of their united demand explicitly articulates their preference. They consciously chose Barabbas, a man who represented worldly rebellion against Roman authority and committed murder (Luke 23:19). This choice stands in stark contrast to Jesus, who preached peace, forgiveness, and submission to God's authority. Spiritually, it signifies humanity's fallen tendency to choose sin and destruction over righteousness and life (John 3:19-20), ultimately rejecting God's way in favor of human or satanic alternatives. This demand tragically illustrates the blindness and corruption that had overcome the very people God had chosen, as prophesied in Isa 53:3.

Luke 23 18 Bonus section

The name Barabbas (Βαραββᾶν) means "Son of the Father." There is a profound spiritual irony in the multitude choosing "Son of the Father" (Barabbas, an earthly, flawed representation) over Jesus, the true Son of the Father. Some ancient manuscripts of Matthew's Gospel include Jesus Barabbas, making the choice between "Jesus, Son of the Father" and "Jesus, Who is called Christ." This accentuates the depth of their rejection of the actual Son of God. The Jewish nation, through this act, chose a king who represented rebellion against Rome and earthly liberation (what many mistakenly expected of the Messiah), rather than the King who offered liberation from sin and spiritual dominion. Pilate's concession to the crowd's will, despite finding no guilt in Jesus, highlights his own political weakness and fear, showcasing how earthly rulers can succumb to popular pressure even against their conscience (Matt 27:24-25). This dramatic event demonstrates the world's pervasive antagonism towards the true Christ and foreshadows the ongoing spiritual battle against Him throughout history.

Luke 23 18 Commentary

Luke 23:18 marks a deeply sorrowful and revealing moment in Christ's passion. Despite Pilate's repeated declaration of Jesus' innocence and his efforts to release Him, the crowd, manipulated by their religious leaders, shouted a unanimous, fervent demand for His death. The specific phrasing "Away with this Man" (αἶρε τοῦτον) is a demand for capital punishment, not just removal. They coupled this with the astonishing request to free Barabbas, a terrorist and murderer, chosen over the innocent "Author of life" (Acts 3:15).

This event profoundly underscores several theological truths. Firstly, it highlights the depravity of human nature and the power of corporate sin and mob mentality, especially when incited by corrupt leadership (Mark 15:11). The fickle crowd, once celebrating Jesus, now vociferously calls for His execution. Secondly, it fulfills Old Testament prophecies concerning the rejection of the Messiah (Isa 53:3; Psa 118:22). The very people whom God chose and to whom He sent His Son chose to reject Him, demonstrating a spiritual blindness fueled by envy and a hardened heart. Thirdly, the choice between Jesus and Barabbas represents a cosmic choice: choosing worldly power, violence, and rebellion (symbolized by Barabbas) over divine peace, justice, and self-sacrificing love (embodied by Jesus). This pivotal decision by the people led directly to the cross, which, despite humanity's wickedness, was part of God's redemptive plan for the salvation of the world (Acts 2:23).

Practical usage:

• This verse is a sobering reminder of how easily popular opinion can be swayed and how often humanity rejects God's truth, preferring what is earthly or even overtly sinful.
• It illustrates the danger of mob rule and groupthink over discernment and truth.
• It encourages believers to stand firm in truth even when it is unpopular or goes against societal currents.