Matthew 27 20

Matthew 27:20 kjv

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

Matthew 27:20 nkjv

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.

Matthew 27:20 niv

But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

Matthew 27:20 esv

Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.

Matthew 27:20 nlt

Meanwhile, the leading priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death.

Matthew 27 verses

Matthew 27 20 Meaning

Matthew 27:20 reveals a pivotal moment where the spiritual and political leaders of Israel, specifically the chief priests and the elders, actively manipulated the Jewish populace. They convinced the gathered multitudes to reject Jesus, the innocent Son of God, and instead demand the release of Barabbas, a known insurrectionist and murderer. This deliberate persuasion directly led to the condemnation and eventual crucifixion of Jesus, showcasing profound spiritual blindness, malice, and human culpability in His suffering.

Matthew 27 20 Context

Matthew 27:20 occurs immediately after Pilate, the Roman governor, offers the crowd a choice between releasing Barabbas or Jesus as part of a Passover custom. This custom likely aimed to pacify the Jewish populace during a sensitive festival. Pilate's offer suggests he initially sought to avoid condemning Jesus, sensing His innocence (Mt 27:18). However, the verse reveals the manipulative interference of the Jewish leadership.

The chief priests and elders, comprising members of the Sanhedrin and leading religious families, viewed Jesus as a fundamental threat to their authority, traditions, and the existing order. His teachings challenged their hypocrisy, and His growing popularity endangered their position with both the people and the Romans. They had already condemned Jesus on charges of blasphemy within their own court and handed Him over to Pilate (Mt 27:2). Their relentless desire to see Him eliminated drives them to exploit the crowd and the Roman custom.

Historically, crowds during Roman occupation were often volatile, particularly during religious festivals like Passover, which carried strong nationalistic undertones. The chief priests and elders, wielding significant religious and political influence, exploited this environment, twisting popular sentiment against Jesus and for a known insurgent, Barabbas, whose revolutionary aims may have resonated more with some of the crowd's expectations of a political Messiah.

Matthew 27 20 Word analysis

• But (Δέ - De): A conjunction indicating a strong contrast or transition. It marks a shift from Pilate's attempt to release Jesus to the counter-action taken by the Jewish leadership.
• the chief priests (οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς - hoi archiereis): Refers to the most powerful and wealthy priestly families, largely Sadducees, who controlled the Temple economy and political affairs under Roman oversight. They held significant authority and feared Jesus' challenge to their power structure (Jn 11:48).
• and (καί - kai): Connects the chief priests with the elders, indicating a unified front from the Sanhedrin's most influential members.
• the elders (οἱ πρεσβύτεροι - hoi presbyteroi): Respected leaders of the Jewish community, often drawn from scribes and Pharisees, holding a civic and religious standing, distinct from the Temple priests but still part of the Sanhedrin.
• persuaded (ἔπεισαν - epeisan): Aorist indicative of peitho (πείθω), meaning to convince, bring over, or sway by argument or influence. It implies deliberate, calculated manipulation and active incitement rather than passive observation or spontaneous reaction from the crowd. This verb highlights the culpability of the leaders.
• the multitudes (τοὺς ὄχλους - tous ochlous): The general populace, the crowds. The term ochlos (ὄχλος) can imply a mass of people, often fickle and easily swayed, lacking deep conviction. This stands in contrast to "the disciples" or "believers," showing the popular tide turning against Jesus under wicked influence.
• that they should ask (ἵνα αἰτήσωνται - hina aitēsōntai): Purpose clause, showing the intent of the persuasion. Aiteo (αἰτέω) means to ask or demand, often with a sense of requesting a specific favor or right. It reveals the leaders' success in dictating the crowd's "choice."
• Barabbas (Βαραββᾶν - Barabban): A known rebel, insurrectionist, and robber (Jn 18:40), or possibly a murderer (Lk 23:19). His name means "son of the father," ironically contrasting with Jesus, the true Son of the Father. He represents humanity's preferred "deliverer"—a political liberator—over God's spiritual King.
• and destroy (καὶ ἀπολέσωσιν - kai apolesōsin): Strong term, aorist subjunctive of apollymi (ἀπόλλυμι), meaning to cause to perish, to put to death, or utterly ruin. This clearly states the ultimate malicious aim of the leaders concerning Jesus—not just imprisonment, but absolute removal through death.
• Jesus (Ἰησοῦν - Iesoun): The one whom Pilate sought to release, the righteous Messiah, now the object of a death-wish by those whom He came to save.

Word Group Analysis:

• "But the chief priests and the elders persuaded": This phrase underlines the concerted effort and authority of the religious establishment. Their role was not passive; it was active and malignant in swaying public opinion against the truth. It exemplifies how powerful figures can lead many astray through manipulative tactics.
• "the multitudes that they should ask Barabbas": Highlights the susceptibility of the crowd to influential figures, even to the point of choosing a criminal over the truly innocent. This shows the dangers of mob mentality and succumbing to popular, misguided pressure.
• "and destroy Jesus": This final objective of the persuasion lays bare the depths of the leaders' animosity. Their goal was the total annihilation of Jesus, revealing the dark culmination of jealousy, fear, and rejection of divine truth. The choice of "destroy" over "crucify" indicates a desire for His absolute and permanent removal.

Matthew 27 20 Bonus section

The account in Matthew 27:20 illustrates a theological concept known as sui generis (unique in its kind) rejection. Unlike common criminals, Jesus, the God-man, was subjected to a public preference for a known evil-doer. This isn't just a political misjudgment; it is humanity's quintessential rejection of its divine Creator and Savior. Barabbas, meaning "son of the father," in some textual traditions includes "Jesus Barabbas." If so, it intensifies the choice: "Jesus Barabbas" (Jesus, son of the father) versus "Jesus called Christ." The choice would then become explicitly between a revolutionary son and the Christ, underscoring humanity's choice of violence and earthly freedom over the spiritual liberation offered by the true Messiah. This highlights how society can value lawlessness and rebellion more than the embodiment of truth and grace. Furthermore, the role of human free will (the crowd's choice) operating within God's sovereign predetermined plan (Jesus's sacrifice) is profoundly exemplified here. Humanity's sinfulness is on full display, yet God's redemptive purpose is simultaneously being fulfilled.

Matthew 27 20 Commentary

Matthew 27:20 is a profoundly disturbing and deeply significant verse that uncovers the insidious nature of spiritual corruption and human culpability in the crucifixion of Jesus. It is not Pilate, but the very religious leaders, the chief priests and elders, who orchestrated the crowd's rejection of their Messiah. This act underscores their hardened hearts and their priority of worldly power over divine truth.

The deliberate act of "persuading" the multitudes reveals a cynical manipulation. These leaders, who should have guided the people towards righteousness, instead weaponized public opinion to achieve their malicious agenda. The "multitudes," in their fickleness and susceptibility to demagoguery, tragically succumbed to this manipulation, trading the innocent "Son of the Father" (Jesus) for a criminal "son of the father" (Barabbas), a true son of rebellion. This choice reflects humanity's broader preference for self-appointed deliverers or earthly revolution over God's path of redemption through humble sacrifice.

The demand to "destroy Jesus" solidifies the extent of their malice. It wasn't simply a request for justice or release; it was a demand for ultimate elimination. This verse therefore highlights humanity's dark capacity for injustice, rebellion against God's will, and the tragic consequences of blind allegiance to corrupt authority. Paradoxically, this heinous act, driven by human sin, was part of God's sovereign plan for the atonement of humanity, as the innocent Lamb was led to slaughter for the sins of the world.

• Practical Example: Be discerning of leaders, especially religious ones, examining their motives and words against the unvarnished truth of Scripture. Do not passively follow crowd sentiment, but seek truth independently, for popular opinion can be swayed to dark purposes. Recognize that sin can blind people to obvious righteousness, choosing what satisfies earthly desires over divine truth.