Matthew 27 21

Matthew 27:21 kjv

The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.

Matthew 27:21 nkjv

The governor answered and said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said, "Barabbas!"

Matthew 27:21 niv

"Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor. "Barabbas," they answered.

Matthew 27:21 esv

The governor again said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release for you?" And they said, "Barabbas."

Matthew 27:21 nlt

So the governor asked again, "Which of these two do you want me to release to you?" The crowd shouted back, "Barabbas!"

Matthew 27 verses

Matthew 27 21 Meaning

Matthew 27:21 recounts a pivotal moment during Jesus' trial before Pilate. Pilate, seeking to release Jesus according to a Passover custom, presents a choice between Jesus and Barabbas, a notorious prisoner. The verse reveals the crowd's definitive choice, influenced by the chief priests and elders, to have Barabbas released instead of Jesus, signaling their rejection of the Messiah. This choice highlights the stark contrast between divine innocence and human sinfulness, culminating in a popular decision for evil over good, justice over unrighteousness.

Matthew 27 21 Context

Matthew 27:21 is set within the critical hour of Jesus' Roman trial before Pontius Pilate, immediately following Pilate's question in verse 17 and the chief priests and elders' incitement in verse 20. The immediate context of verses 15-26 details the Passover custom where the Roman governor would release one prisoner of the crowd's choosing. Pilate's strategy was to release Jesus, whom he recognized as innocent and sensed no crime in, by offering the crowd a stark choice between the renowned insurrectionist and murderer Barabbas, and Jesus, whom some called "King of the Jews" or "Christ." However, the Jewish religious leaders had strategically swayed the crowd to demand Barabbas's release and Jesus's crucifixion. Historically and culturally, Roman authorities, especially in occupied territories, sought to maintain peace and avoid rebellion, often deferring to local customs and influential leaders. The Passover offered a charged atmosphere, and Pilate’s attempt to mitigate conflict backfired due to the manipulation of public opinion by those with vested interests against Jesus.

Matthew 27 21 Word analysis

• The governor (ὁ ἡγεμών - ho hēgemōn): Refers to Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect of Judea. His title highlights his supreme legal and military authority in the province, emphasizing the legitimacy of the trial setting despite its inherent injustice. This sets the stage for a judicial decision, though one heavily influenced by popular demand rather than strict law.
• answered (ἀποκριθεὶς - apokritheis): Implies a response, but also suggests a deliberation on Pilate's part. He wasn't merely reacting; he was strategically trying to find a way to release Jesus, yet ultimately yielding to external pressure.
• and said to them (καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς - kai eipen autois): Direct address to the agitated crowd, indicating a formal query intended to illicit a public declaration. It underlines the interactive, though coercive, nature of the trial, putting the onus of the decision on the crowd.
• Which of the two (Τίνα τῶν δύο - Tina tōn duo): Pilate presents a binary choice. The clear options — Jesus (referred to in verse 17 implicitly as Jesus Barabbas in some manuscripts, or Christ in others) and Barabbas — force a distinct declaration from the crowd. This question is pivotal, as it forces humanity to choose between innocence (Jesus) and depravity (Barabbas), symbolically choosing a life of sin over righteousness.
• will you that I release unto you? (θέλετε ἀπολύσω ὑμῖν; - thelete apolyso humin): "Will you" signifies a request for their desire, a granting of power to the multitude. "Release" (ἀπολύσω - apolyso) is a common term for releasing a prisoner. The verb is in the subjunctive mood, expressing a proposal or a question concerning what Pilate should do based on their will. Pilate hands over his prerogative to the crowd, hoping for a specific outcome.
• They said, Barabbas. (Εἶπον, Βαραββᾶν. - Eipon, Barabban.): A powerful, unanimous, and decisive answer. "They said" indicates the voice of the collective multitude, unified in their preference, even if manipulated. "Barabbas" (Βαραββᾶν - Barabban) is the specific, and shocking, choice. Barabbas, meaning "son of the father" or "son of Abbas," was a revolutionary and murderer (Mk 15:7, Lk 23:19). This choice symbolically represented humanity's preference for a rebel, a purveyor of worldly power and violence, over the Son of God, who offered a spiritual kingdom and redemptive suffering.

Word-Group Analysis:

• "The governor answered and said to them": This phrase frames the moment as a formal inquiry from the Roman authority, highlighting Pilate's initial attempt to resolve the situation legally and custom-bound, rather than directly yielding to the chief priests. It suggests Pilate's perceived neutrality or attempts at upholding some form of order, despite being politically motivated.
• "Which of the two will you that I release unto you?": This question marks a transfer of decision-making power from Pilate, the supreme judicial authority, to the populace. It underscores the political expediency that overshadowed true justice, where the will of the crowd, fueled by manipulative religious leaders, usurped proper legal process. The rhetorical framing exposes Pilate's weakness and his attempt to shift responsibility.
• "They said, Barabbas.": This concise and potent declaration is the turning point. It is not just a choice of one man over another; it is the ultimate rejection of the Savior by humanity, represented by this crowd. It encapsulates human preference for the temporal, rebellious, and ultimately destructive over the spiritual, peaceful, and life-giving. This choice reflects mankind's deep-seated tendency to choose sin and chaos over divine order and salvation, often swayed by falsehoods and earthly desires.

Matthew 27 21 Bonus section

• Divine Providence Amidst Human Depravity: This verse demonstrates how God's divine plan was accomplished even through the sinful actions and choices of individuals and the crowd. Pilate's desire to release Jesus and the crowd's clamor for Barabbas, while manifesting human injustice, unwittingly fulfilled God's sovereign will for Jesus to be crucified for the redemption of humanity (cf. Acts 2:23).
• Symbolic Reversal: The custom was to release a prisoner, symbolizing forgiveness and new life, especially during Passover. The crowd's choice resulted in an ironic reversal: releasing a condemned murderer while condemning the innocent Son of God, who came to set the true prisoners free from sin and death. Barabbas was a real prisoner; Jesus was held captive by spiritual forces of evil and human sin.
• Echoes of Old Testament Choices: This moment resonates with earlier biblical instances where the people of God made detrimental choices, swayed by human leadership or desires rather than God's clear will (e.g., Israel's demand for a king in 1 Sam 8, or their constant idolatry). It highlights a consistent human struggle with preferring earthly power, false comfort, or self-gratification over true spiritual truth and divine authority.
• Pilate's Moral Cowardice: While the focus is on the crowd's choice, this verse subtly exposes Pilate's moral cowardice. He presented the choice to avoid a difficult decision, thus abrogating his judicial responsibility. His reliance on public opinion over righteous judgment sets a dangerous precedent.
• The Power of Incitement: The chief priests and elders' successful manipulation of the crowd (v. 20) emphasizes the powerful influence of ungodly leadership in swaying popular opinion, even towards extreme and unjust actions. This serves as a caution against blindly following masses or popular narratives, especially when they oppose righteous principles.

Matthew 27 21 Commentary

Matthew 27:21 portrays the shocking depth of human depravity and rejection of the divine. Pilate's act of presenting a choice, intended perhaps as a means to acquit Jesus, ultimately backfired, revealing the success of the chief priests' manipulation of the crowd. The collective voice crying for Barabbas, a known criminal and rebel, over Jesus, the embodiment of righteousness, illustrates a profound spiritual blindness and a preference for chaos over Christ. This was not merely a political decision, but a theological one: the world choosing itself over its Creator. The choice of "Barabbas" ("son of the father") instead of Jesus, the true Son of the Father, is steeped in dramatic irony and prefigures humanity's continued tendency to reject true spiritual freedom in favor of perceived earthly liberation or self-serving interests. It stands as a stark reminder of humanity's culpability in Christ's suffering, but also as a testament to God's sovereign plan, as this rejection paved the way for salvation through His death. It calls believers to examine their own choices daily: whom do we truly follow, the Spirit of Christ or the "Barabbas" of worldly desires?