7 A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising.
7 And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.
7 And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas.
7 There was one prisoner called Barabbas, locked up with the insurrectionists who had committed murder during the uprising against Rome.
7 And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion.
7 One of the prisoners at that time was Barabbas, a revolutionary who had committed murder in an uprising.
16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
16 At the time, they had the infamous Jesus Barabbas in prison.
16 And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
16 This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named Barabbas.
(Read Matthew 27:11-25)
Having no malice against Jesus, Pilate urged him to clear himself, and laboured to get him discharged. The message from his wife was a warning. God has many ways of giving checks to sinners, in their sinful pursuits, and it is a great mercy to have such checks from Providence, from faithful friends, and from our own consciences. O do not this abominable thing which the Lord hates! is what we may hear said to us, when we are entering into temptation, if we will but regard it. Being overruled by the priests, the people made choice of Barabbas. Multitudes who choose the world, rather than God, for their ruler and portion, thus choose their own delusions. The Jews were so bent upon the death of Christ, that Pilate thought it would be dangerous to refuse. And this struggle shows the power of conscience even on the worst men. Yet all was so ordered to make it evident that Christ suffered for no fault of his own, but for the sins of his people. How vain for Pilate to expect to free himself from the guilt of the innocent blood of a righteous person, whom he was by his office bound to protect! The Jews' curse upon themselves has been awfully answered in the sufferings of their nation. None could bear the sin of others, except Him that had no sin of his own to answer for. And are we not all concerned? Is not Barabbas preferred to Jesus, when sinners reject salvation that they may retain their darling sins, which rob God of his glory, and murder their souls? The blood of Christ is now upon us for good, through mercy, by the Jews' rejection of it. O let us flee to it for refuge!
19 (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)
19 (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)
19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder
19 (Barabbas had been thrown in prison for starting a riot in the city and for murder.
19 who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder
19 (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.)
(Read Luke 23:13-25)
The fear of man brings many into this snare, that they will do an unjust thing, against their consciences, rather than get into trouble. Pilate declares Jesus innocent, and has a mind to release him; yet, to please the people, he would punish him as an evil-doer. If no fault be found in him, why chastise him? Pilate yielded at length; he had not courage to go against so strong a stream. He delivered Jesus to their will, to be crucified.
40 They shouted back, "No, not him! Give us Barabbas!" Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising.
40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
40 They cried out again, "Not this man, but Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a robber.
40 They shouted back, "Not this one, but Barabbas!" Barabbas was a Jewish freedom fighter.
40 Then they all cried again, saying, "Not this Man, but Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a robber.
40 But they shouted back, "No! Not this man. We want Barabbas!" (Barabbas was a revolutionary.)
(Read John 18:33-40)
Art thou the King of the Jews? that King of the Jews who has been so long expected? Messiah the Prince; art thou he? Dost thou call thyself so, and wouldest thou be thought so? Christ answered this question with another; not for evasion, but that Pilate might consider what he did. He never took upon him any earthly power, never were any traitorous principles or practices laid to him. Christ gave an account of the nature of his kingdom. Its nature is not worldly; it is a kingdom within men, set up in their hearts and consciences; its riches spiritual, its power spiritual, and it glory within. Its supports are not worldly; its weapons are spiritual; it needed not, nor used, force to maintain and advance it, nor opposed any kingdom but that of sin and Satan. Its object and design are not worldly. When Christ said, I am the Truth, he said, in effect, I am a King. He conquers by the convincing evidence of truth; he rules by the commanding power of truth. The subjects of this kingdom are those that are of the truth. Pilate put a good question, he said, What is truth? When we search the Scriptures, and attend the ministry of the word, it must be with this inquiry, What is truth? and with this prayer, Lead me in thy truth; into all truth. But many put this question, who have not patience to preserve in their search after truth; or not humility enough to receive it. By this solemn declaration of Christ's innocence, it appears, that though the Lord Jesus was treated as the worst of evil-doers, he never deserved such treatment. But it unfolds the design of his death; that he died as a Sacrifice for our sins. Pilate was willing to please all sides; and was governed more by worldly wisdom than by the rules of justice. Sin is a robber, yet is foolishly chosen by many rather than Christ, who would truly enrich us. Let us endeavour to make our accusers ashamed as Christ did; and let us beware of crucifying Christ afresh.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 15:7
Commentary on Mark 15:1-14
(Read Mark 15:1-14)
They bound Christ. It is good for us often to remember the bonds of the Lord Jesus, as bound with him who was bound for us. By delivering up the King, they, in effect, delivered up the kingdom of God, which was, therefore, as by their own consent, taken from them, and given to another nation. Christ gave Pilate a direct answer, but would not answer the witnesses, because the things they alleged were known to be false, even Pilate himself was convinced they were so. Pilate thought that he might appeal from the priests to the people, and that they would deliver Jesus out of the priests' hands. But they were more and more urged by the priests, and cried, Crucify him! Crucify him! Let us judge of persons and things by their merits, and the standard of God's word, and not by common report. The thought that no one ever was so shamefully treated, as the only perfectly wise, holy, and excellent Person that ever appeared on earth, leads the serious mind to strong views of man's wickedness and enmity to God. Let us more and more abhor the evil dispositions which marked the conduct of these persecutors.