John 18:40

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:40

Barabbas was a robber - See Matthew 27:16 . The later Syriac has in the margin, αρχιλῃστης , a chief robber, a captain of banditti, and it is probable that this was the case. He was not only a person who lived by plunder, but shed the blood of many of those whom he and his gang robbed, and rose up against the Roman government, as we learn from Luke 23:19 . There never existed a more perfidious, cruel, and murderous people than these Jews; and no wonder they preferred a murderer to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 18:39-40

(c) [Without the Praetorium.] The Roman trial continued without the Praetorium , where Pilate declared Christ innocent , and made another effort to save him . The Barabbas-proposal . Before the scene which John here introduces with a but—as though it followed immediately upon the utterance of a verdict of acquittal—Luke tells us that casual reference was made to the circumstance that Jesus was a Galilaean, and was in Herod's jurisdiction. Eager to quit himself' of a troublesome... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 18:39-40

See the notes at Matthew 27:15-21. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 18:33-40

John 18:33-40. Then Pilate entered into the judgment-hall again See the note on Matthew 27:11. It seems, as the governor had heard an honourable report of Jesus, and observed in his silence, under the accusations brought against him, an air of meek majesty and greatness of spirit, rather than any consciousness of guilt, or any indication of a fierce contempt, he was willing to discourse with him more privately before he proceeded further. He therefore called Jesus, and said, Art thou the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 18:39-40

156. Jesus before the people (Matthew 27:15-31; Mark 15:6-20; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39-19:16)Although assured that Jesus was innocent, Pilate felt it wise to give the Jews some satisfaction; for by this time a crowd had gathered and he did not want a riot to break out. He therefore offered to punish Jesus by flogging, and consider the matter finished (Luke 23:13-16).But the people yelled for Jesus to be crucified. Pilate did not want the situation to get out of control, so made another offer.... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 18:40

cried = cried aloud, shouted. Greek kraugazo. Compare John 19:6 , John 19:15 .Acts 22:23 . this Man = this fellow. Compare John 7:27 ; John 9:29 . Barabbas . Aramaic. App-94 . robber = bandit, highway robber. Greek. Mates. Compare Mark 11:17 ; Mark 14:48 ; Mark 15:27 . Not kleptes. thief. The two words together in John 10:1 , John 10:8 . They chose the robber, and the robber has ruled over them to this day. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 18:38-40

3. The Jews’ request for Barabbas 18:38b-40 (cf. Matthew 27:12-21; Mark 15:3-11; Luke 23:4-19)John condensed the scene in which Pilate declared Jesus innocent, the Jews accused Jesus further, Jesus replied nothing, and Pilate marveled at Jesus’ silence (Matthew 27:12-14; Mark 15:3-5; Luke 23:4-6). He simply related Pilate’s verdict (John 18:38 b). John also omitted the account of Jesus’ appearance before Herod Antipas that followed this verdict and preceded Pilate’s offer to release Barabbas in... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 18:40

John described Barabbas as a robber (Gr. lestes, lit. one who seizes plunder). However, Barabbas seems also to have participated in bloody insurrection as a terrorist and guerrilla fighter (cf. Mark 15:7). The chief priests normally had nothing to do with Zealots and other freedom fighters who sought to overthrow the Roman yoke violently. However here they preferred such an individual to Jesus who had not actively opposed Rome but whom they regarded as a threat to their security. The irony of... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:1-40

Christ Before Annas, Caiaphas, and Pilate1-14. Christ’s arrest and trial before Annas (cp. Matthew 26:30 = Mark 14:26 = Luke 22:39). The narrative is now parallel with the synoptic account, with which, though obviously independent, it closely agrees. Our Lord’s agony in the garden is omitted as well known, but it is alluded to (John 18:11), and the evangelist elsewhere uses language quite as definite as that of the synoptists in speaking of His agony of mind at the prospect of death (John... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - John 18:40

(40) Then cried they all again.—St. John has not recorded any clamour before, but implies that of Mark 15:8, and Luke 23:5-10.Now Barabbas was a robber.—Comp. Note on John 10:1. The word includes the meaning of unrestrained violence, which often leads to bloodshed (Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19), and is thus used in a striking parallel in Sophocles:—“And him, so rumour runs, a robber bandOf aliens slew.”—(Œdipus Rex., 724. Plumptre’s Translation.)There is a solemn emphasis given to the context by the... read more

Group of Brands