Matthew 27:15-18 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:11-31

The actors in a momentous tragedy. The scene is laid in Jerusalem, in the palace of the Roman governor. The occasion is the trial of the Lord Jesus for his life. The whole human race and all the ages are interested. Behold— I. THE PRISONER AT THE BAR . 1 . " Now Jesus stood before the governor. " 2 . Listen to his confession. 3 . Mark his silence . II. THE WITNESSES IN COURT . 1 . The leaders were the rulers of the Jews . (a) In their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:15

Pilate now tries another expedient for delivering himself from the responsibility of condemning Jesus. At that feast ( κατα Ì ἑορτη ì ν , at a feast, at feast time). Doubtless the Passover is meant, which was the feast especially of the Jews, and it is very improbable that the practice mentioned in the clause was allowed at any other of the feasts. The governor was wont to release unto the people ( τῷ ὀ ì χλῳ , the multitude ) , etc. St. Luke says, "Of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:15-26

Barabbas preferred to Jesus. ( Mark 15:6-15 ; Luke 23:17-25 ; John 18:39 , John 18:40 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:15-30

Christ before Pilate. No. 2. The other evangelists tell us of Pilate's first and fatal mistake, in offering, while convinced of his Prisoner's innocence, to chastise him and let him go. He showed the Jews he was afraid of them; and from this point onwards we see him tossed between his own convictions and his fears—a type of all who in their own souls have convictions about Christ and their duty to him, which they do not act out lest they thereby incur loss or abuse. Apparently, before the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:16

They had then a notable prisoner. The plural verb must refer to the multitude, to whose class the man belonged. The Vulgate, with Origen, reads, "he had," habebat, referring to Pilate, whose prisoner he was. The man was notorious; as St. Mark tells us, "He lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, men who had committed murder in the insurrection." We have no account elsewhere of this particular rising, nor of its leader, but such commotions were very common, and under the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:17

Therefore when ( when then, οὖν ) they were gathered together. The illative particle refers to the fact just mentioned that the notorious Barabbas was at that time in prison. The multitude, together with the Sanhedrists summoned from their meeting in the temple, were gathered at the doors of the Praetorium, when Pilate came out and spoke to them. Whom will ye that I release unto you? He had great hope that their answer would favour Jesus. When it came to choosing between a vile... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:18

For he knew. He had recourse to this expedient because he was well acquainted with the motives which led the Sanhedrists to desire his death. They had shown their envy of Christ's influence with the people; they were jealous of his reputation and success; grudged him his marvellous powers; were embittered by his attacks on rabbinism, and the undermining of their popularity. Pilate saw much of this; he penetrated behind their flimsy pretence of averting some possible danger from the Roman... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:18

Pilate's character reading. "He knew that for envy they had delivered him." Pilate was never under any sort of delusion concerning Christ. Experience as a magistrate made the criminal's face, and attitude, and speech, and ways, quite familiar things to him. He watched Jesus, and was perfectly certain that he was no criminal, and no dangerous revolutionist. And Pilate had not had contention after contention with that priest party without knowing the party well; and his estimate of it we can... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 27:15-23

See also the parallel places in Mark 15:6-14; Luke 23:17-23; John 18:39-40.Matthew 27:15At that feast - The feast of the Passover.The governor was wont to release ... - that is, 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... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 27:15-18

Matthew 27:15-18. Now at that feast, &c. It had become a custom with the Roman governors, at the feast of the passover, to gratify the people with the pardon and release of any one prisoner they pleased. There was no law to oblige them to do this, nor is it certain when or how this custom arose. But as acts of grace are generally popular things, it is probable it originated with the Romans themselves, and that they introduced and continued it to please their tributaries. It was,... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:11-31

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:15-26

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:15-30

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:18

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 27:15-23

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 27:15-18

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