Matthew 27:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

After establishing a reason based on the festival law that allowed for the release of a condemned individual, how did they respond to this? It is said that they influenced the crowd to request Barabbas. Can you see the foresight with which He aimed to rescue them from sin, and the diligence with which they ensured that no hint of justification remained for themselves? What options were available: to release the wrongdoer or the uncertain one? If it was permissible to free one of the guilty, how much more appropriate was it to release the one whose innocence was uncertain? Certainly, to them, Jesus did not seem to be the most egregious of the killers. The evangelist did not merely describe Barabbas as a thief but as a notorious robber, infamous for many murders.

Why did he choose not to free Christ? It was deemed unsafe for Pilate to exonerate Him when He was charged with claiming kingship. However, he should have sought evidence regarding whether Christ had rallied an army or armed Himself.

When the governor responded to them, he inquired, "Which one do you wish me to release to you?" He had posed this question previously, but as they had not yet replied, occupied with his wife's message, he reiterated the inquiry. Their answer was Barabbas, as they had been instructed.

When Pilate proposed to free Jesus as part of a tradition allowing the crowd to pardon one prisoner during a festival, the people, swayed by the religious authorities, opted for Barabbas instead. The reason for their future disbelief is hinted at in the name Barabbas, which translates to ‘son of the father.’ They favored this ‘son of the father’ over Christ. Under the influence of their leaders, they selected Antichrist, the man of sin and the son of perdition (See 2 Thess. 2:3). They chose one who was destined for condemnation rather than the Source of Life.

It is not surprising that the city steeped in blood and its children, those who commit acts of violence, chose to free Barabbas, a fellow killer, and released him as if he were without guilt. Their disregard for the severity of murder, a behavior they had grown accustomed to, led them either to forgive those guilty of such crimes or to bestow the Cross and the burial place upon the source of eternal life and incorruption; yet, for both of these actions, they faced judgment in due course.

The educated assembly gathered around the stone pavement. Pilate inquired, "Which one do you want me to release to you? Shall I release the King of the Jews?" This title, used again by Pilate, appeared to the knowledgeable among them as a mocking jibe. The crowd collectively responded, "Not him, but Barabbas!" In his bewilderment and unable to find a way forward, Pilate asked them, seemingly with hesitance, "What should I do with the so-called King of the Jews?" The crowd shouted back, "Crucify him, crucify him!"—their uproar giving the impression that they believed they held the authority to determine these matters. Their clear demand for crucifixion indicates that those calling for it were acutely aware of the implications of their request.

As the governor heeded his wife's counsel, he allowed the crowd time to deliberate, while the members of the Sanhedrin endeavored to sway the populace to their perspective. It is remarkable how much effort it takes for deceitful wickedness to persuade an unsuspecting audience. Furthermore, a significant portion of the residents of Jerusalem identified with the Pharisees, who were adversaries of Jesus Christ, thus increasing the number of those who would rally the crowd to support Barabbas over Jesus. Consequently, when Pilate posed his question again, "Whom shall I release for you?" the crowd responded, "Barabbas." The people’s choice was indeed dreadful.

And look, at that moment, when the Governor posed his question again, asking them which of the two they desired to be set free, they responded, “Barabbas.” Such a dreadful decision the crowd has made! Peter recounted this with dismay to the Jews, declaring, “You have renounced the Holy and Just One and requested a murderer to be granted to you” (Acts 3:14-15). Even Pilate was perplexed by the crowd's answer.

Pilate, observing the insistence of the chief priests, proposes allowing Jesus to be released, as is the tradition of freeing a prisoner during Passover. This would permit the ruling of the Sanhedrin to stand while ensuring the accused's life was spared. To appease their animosity towards Jesus, Pilate ordered Him to be scourged. Yet, the crowd clamored as directed by the chief priests, calling for Barabbas's release instead of Jesus. Confused about how to resolve the matter, Pilate received a message from his wife. She had experienced a troubling dream concerning the Righteous One and urged him not to condemn Him, which aligned with what Pilate had contemplated (Matt. 27:19).

While Pilate was engaged in conversation with the official who relayed his wife’s message, the chief priests and other leaders of the Sanhedrin were very active. They infiltrated the throngs of people and began inciting them against Jesus. They unleashed their malicious speech without restraint, resorting to slander and false oaths, continuously convincing the crowd that Jesus was a godless sinner, allied with the adversary, performing wonders in his name. The gathering predominantly comprised residents of Jerusalem who were loyal to the Pharisees and held a disdain for the Galileans. Thus, the Sanhedrin's schemes had almost guaranteed success among such a crowd. They incited the people to call for Barabbas’s release and to demand the execution of Jesus.

Nonetheless, this strategy was thwarted by the cunning of the leaders, who had already managed to persuade the populace that it was preferable to request Barabbas, a man who had demonstrated his defiance against the oppressors, rather than Jesus, who seemed incapable of fulfilling the aspirations of restoring the Davidic kingdom. Consequently, when Pilate inquired whom they wished to be released, the crowd cried out: “Crucify Him, but release Barabbas to us!”