Mat 27:15-21 | TNotes | STEP | 27:15 Pilate’s custom seems out of character; he was not known for wanting to please his Jewish subjects. However, if Pilate’s position with Caesar was precarious at this point (see study note on John 19:12; see Philo, On the Embassy to Gaius 159–161), then this gesture may have been to keep the peace and thus avoid negative attention from Rome.

cMark 15:7►

dJohn 18:40►

eLuke 23:19►

‏ Matthew 27:15-21

27:15 ^a Pilate’s custom seems out of character; he was not known for wanting to please his Jewish subjects. However, if Pilate’s position with Caesar was precarious at this point (see study note on John 19:12; see Philo, On the Embassy to Gaius 159–161), then this gesture may have been to keep the peace and thus avoid negative attention from Rome.
27:16 ^b notorious prisoner ... named Barabbas: Elsewhere he is called a “revolutionary” (Mark 15:7 ^c; John 18:40 ^d), a term that also denotes a robber or insurrectionist (see Luke 23:19 ^e). To the zealots, Barabbas was a hero.
27:19 ^f through a terrible nightmare (cp. 1:20 ^g): It is ironic that a pagan recognizes and takes a stand for Jesus’ innocence, while the Jewish crowd does not.