Matthew 27 · Verse 15

Matthew 27:15

Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
Matthew 27:15, King James Version

Matthew 27:15 in other translations

BSBNow it was the governor’s custom at the feast to release to the crowd a prisoner of their choosing.
WEBNow at the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the multitude one prisoner whom they desired.
ASVNow at the feast the governor was wont to release unto the multitude one prisoner, whom they would.
YLTAnd at the feast the governor had been accustomed to release one to the multitude, a prisoner, whom they willed,
DARBYNow at the feast the governor was accustomed to release one prisoner to the crowd, whom they would.
BBENow at the feast it was the way for the ruler to let free to the people one prisoner, at their selection.
WebsterNow at that feast, the governor was wont to release to the people a prisoner, whom they would.

What does Matthew 27:15 mean?

Barnes' Notes
Verses 15-23. See also the parallel places in Mk 15:6-14, Lk 23:17-23 Jn 18:39,40.

Verse 15. At that feast. The feast of the passover.

The governor was wont to release, etc. Was accustomed to release. From what this custom arose, or by whom it was introduced, is not known. It was probably adopted to secure popularity among the Jews, and to render the government of the Romans less odious. Any little indulgence granted to the Jews, during the heavy oppression of the Romans, would serve to conciliate their favour, and to keep the nation from sedition. It might happen often, that when persons were arraigned before the Romans, on charge of sedition, some peculiar favourite of the people, or some leader, might be among the number. It is evident that if they had the privilege of recovering such a person, it would serve much to allay their feelings, and make tolerable the yoke under which they groaned.

(s) "Now at that feast" Mk 15:6, Lk 23:17, Jn 18:39

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 15 The governor was wont to release - Whence this custom originated among the Jews is not known, - probably it was introduced by the Romans themselves, or by Pilate, merely to oblige the Jews, by showing them this public token of respect; but if it originated with him, he must have had the authority of Augustus; for the Roman laws never gave such discretionary power to any governor.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 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…

Read the full comment on Matthew 27:11-25 →

Matthew 27:15 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΚατὰKataAtG2596
δὲdenowG1161
ἑορτὴνhe'ortēn[the] feastG1859
εἰώθειeiōtheihad been accustomedG1486
ὁhotheG3588
ἡγεμὼνhēgemōngovernorG2232
ἀπολύεινapolueinto releaseG630
ἕναhenaoneG1520
τῷtōto theG3588
ὄχλῳochlōmultitudeG3793
δέσμιονdesmionprisonerG1198
ὃνhonwhomG3739
ἤθελον.ēthelonthey were wishing.G2309

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 27:15

  • Matthew 26:5

    But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

  • John 18:38-40

    Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

  • Luke 23:16

    I will therefore chastise him, and release him.

  • John 19:16

    Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.

  • Acts 24:27

    But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

  • Acts 25:9

    But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

  • Mark 15:6-15

    Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? …

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
26:5; Mr 15:6,8; Lu 23:16,17; Joh 18:38,39; Ac 24:27; 25:9

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Matthew 27:14

    And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

  • Matthew 27:15

    Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.

  • Matthew 27:16

    And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

Read all of Matthew 27

Matthew 27:15 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y en el día de la fiesta acostumbraba el presidente soltar al pueblo un preso, cual quisiesen.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Or, à la fête, le gouverneur avait coutume de relâcher un prisonnier à la foule, celui qu’ils voulaient.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Auf das Fest aber war der Landpfleger gewohnt, der Volksmenge einen Gefangenen loszugeben, welchen sie wollten.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Per diem autem solemnem consueverat præses populo dimittere unum vinctum, quem voluissent: