And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this [man], and release unto us Barabbas:
And {G1161} they cried out {G349} all at once {G3826}, saying {G3004}, Away with {G142} this {G5126} man, and {G1161} release {G630} unto us {G2254} Barabbas {G912}:
But with one voice they shouted, “Away with this man! Give us Bar-Abba!”
But they all cried out in unison: “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!”
But they cried out all together, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:—
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Acts 21:36
For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him. -
Acts 3:14
But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; -
Acts 22:22
¶ And they gave him audience unto this word, and [then] lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a [fellow] from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live. -
John 18:39
But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? -
John 18:40
Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber. -
Mark 15:6
Now at [that] feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. -
Mark 15:15
¶ And [so] Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged [him], to be crucified.
Context
Luke 23:18 describes a pivotal moment during the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate. Following Jesus' arrest and initial questioning by the Jewish Sanhedrin, He was brought to Pilate, the Roman governor, because the Jewish authorities lacked the power to execute Him. Pilate repeatedly declared Jesus innocent (Luke 23:4, 23:14, 23:22). It was a custom during the Passover feast for the governor to release one prisoner to the crowd. Pilate, hoping to release Jesus, presented a choice between Jesus and Barabbas, a notorious rebel and murderer (Luke 23:19).
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The KJV phrase "Away with this [man]" translates the Greek verb aíro (αἴρω) combined with touton (τοῦτον, "this one"). While aíro can mean "to take up" or "to carry away," in this context, it carries the strong imperative sense of "take him away," "remove him," or "crucify him." It's a vehement demand for Jesus' elimination, often implying execution, as seen in John 19:15 where the crowd cries, "Away with him, away with him, crucify him."
Practical Application
This verse serves as a sober reminder of several truths relevant to believers today: