Matthew 27 · Verse 20

Matthew 27:20

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
Matthew 27:20, King James Version

Matthew 27:20 in other translations

BSBBut the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death.
WEBNow the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
ASVNow the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
YLTAnd the chief priests and the elders did persuade the multitudes that they might ask for themselves Barabbas, and might destroy Jesus;
DARBYBut the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds that they should beg for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
BBENow the chief priests and those in authority got the people to make request for Barabbas, and for Jesus to be put to death.
WebsterBut the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

What does Matthew 27:20 mean?

Barnes' Notes
Verse 20. Persuaded the multitude. The release of a prisoner was to be to the people, not to the rulers. The rulers therefore, in order to secure the condemnation of Jesus, urged on the people to demand Barabbas. The people were greatly under the influence of the priests. Galileans among the citizens of Jerusalem were held in contempt. The priests turned the pretensions of Jesus into ridicule. Hence in a popular tumult, among a flexible and changing multitude, they easily excited them, who but a little before had cried hosanna, to cry crucify him.

(v) "Barabbas" Acts 3:14

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 20 Ask Barabbas - Who had raised an insurrection and committed murder - and to destroy Jesus, whose voice was never heard in their streets, and who had, during the space of three years and a half, gone about unweariedly, from village to village, instructing the ignorant, healing the diseased, and raising the dead.

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 27:20 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.

ΟἱHoi<the>G3588
δὲdeAndG1161
ἀρχιερεῖςarchiereisthe chief priestsG749
καὶkaiandG2532
οἱhoitheG3588
πρεσβύτεροιpresbuteroieldersG4245
ἔπεισανepeisanpersuadedG3982
τοὺςtoustheG3588
ὄχλουςochlouscrowdsG3793
ἵναinathatG2443
αἰτήσωνταιaitēsōntaithey may ask forG154
τὸνton<the>G3588
Βαραββᾶν,BarabbanBarabbas,G912
τὸνton<the>G3588
δὲdeandG1161
ἸησοῦνIēsounJesusG2424
ἀπολέσωσιν.¶apolesōsinmay destroy.G622

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

Cross references for Matthew 27:20

  • John 19:15-16

    But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Cesar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.

  • Acts 3:14-15

    But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

  • Mark 15:11

    But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.

  • John 18:40

    Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

  • Luke 23:18-20

    And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.) Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.

  • Acts 19:23-29

    And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: …

  • Acts 14:18-19

    And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them. And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
persuaded.
Mr 15:11; Ac 14:18,19; 19:23-29
should.
Lu 23:18-20; Joh 18:40; 19:15,16; Ac 3:14,15

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

Context

  • Matthew 27:19

    When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

  • Matthew 27:20

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

  • Matthew 27:21

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

Read all of Matthew 27

Matthew 27:20 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Mas los príncipes de los sacerdotes y los ancianos, persuadieron al pueblo que pidiese á Barrabás, y á Jesús matase.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Mais les principaux sacrificateurs et les anciens persuadèrent les foules de demander Barabbas et de faire périr Jésus.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Aber die Hohenpriester und die Ältesten überredeten die Volksmenge, daß sie um den Barabbas bäten, Jesum aber umbrächten.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Principes autem sacerdotum et seniores persuaserunt populis ut peterent Barabbam, Jesum vero perderent.