Luke 23:25

KJV

And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he released {G630} unto them {G846} him that for {G1223} sedition {G4714} and {G2532} murder {G5408} was cast {G906} into {G1519} prison {G5438}, whom {G3739} they had desired {G154}; but {G1161} he delivered {G3860} Jesus {G2424} to their {G846} will {G2307}.

Complete Jewish Bible

he released the man who had been thrown in prison for insurrection and murder, the one they had asked for; and Yeshua he surrendered to their will.

Berean Standard Bible

As they had requested, he released the one imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and handed Jesus over to their will.

American Standard Version

And he released him that for insurrection and murder had been cast into prison, whom they asked for; but Jesus he delivered up to their will.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 23:25 powerfully narrates the pivotal moment when Pontius Pilate, succumbing to the relentless demands of the crowd and the Jewish religious leaders, released Barabbas—a man imprisoned for sedition and murder—while simultaneously delivering the innocent Jesus to be crucified according to their will. This verse encapsulates a profound miscarriage of justice, highlighting human depravity, political expediency, and the sovereign unfolding of God's redemptive plan through the substitutionary sacrifice of His Son.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the tragic climax of Pilate's repeated attempts to exonerate Jesus and release Him. Preceding [Luke 23:25](/luke/23-25 "Luke 23:25 - Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified"), Pilate had declared Jesus innocent three times ([Luke 23:4](/luke/23-4 "Luke 23:4 - Pilate Finds No Guilt"), [Luke 23:14](/luke/23-14 "Luke 23:14 - Pilate's Second Declaration of Innocence"), [Luke 23:22](/luke/23-22 "Luke 23:22 - Pilate's Third Declaration of Innocence")), even proposing a lesser punishment. He offered the crowd a choice between Jesus and Barabbas, hoping they would choose Jesus in accordance with the Passover custom. However, the chief priests and scribes incited the crowd to demand Barabbas's release and Jesus' crucifixion ([Luke 23:18-23](/luke/23-18-23 "Luke 23:18-23 - The Crowd Demands Barabbas and Crucifixion")). This verse marks Pilate's ultimate capitulation, directly leading to Jesus' journey to Golgotha and His crucifixion, which is detailed immediately afterward in [Luke 23:26-33](/luke/23-26-33 "Luke 23:26-33 - Jesus Led to Golgotha").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of [Luke 23](/luke/23 "Luke 23 - Jesus Before Pilate and Herod") unfold during the Passover festival in Jerusalem, a time of heightened religious and political tension. It was a customary practice for the Roman governor to release a prisoner at Passover, a tradition likely initiated by the Romans to appease the Jewish populace and maintain peace. Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect of Judea (26-36 AD), was known for his harsh rule and political insecurity. He was wary of any disturbance that might lead to a report to Caesar, which could jeopardize his position ([John 19:12](/john/19-12 "John 19:12 - Pilate Fears Caesar")). The Jewish religious leaders, driven by envy and a perceived threat to their authority, skillfully manipulated the crowd, leveraging the volatile atmosphere of the festival to achieve their desired outcome. Barabbas, described as a rebel and murderer, represented a type of nationalistic hero to some, having engaged in insurrection against Roman rule—a stark contrast to Jesus, who preached a spiritual kingdom.
* **Key Themes:** [Luke 23:25](/luke/23-25 "Luke 23:25 - Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified") is saturated with several profound themes. First, it underscores **profound injustice and human depravity**, as an innocent man is condemned while a violent criminal is set free, revealing the corrupting power of mob rule and political expediency. Second, it highlights **human rejection of God's Messiah**, demonstrating humanity's preference for an earthly, violent deliverer over the spiritual King who offered true salvation ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own")). Third, it exposes **Pilate's moral cowardice and failure of leadership**, as he prioritizes political stability over justice, despite his repeated declarations of Jesus' innocence. Finally, and most significantly, this event, while a testament to human sin, simultaneously illustrates **divine sovereignty and the fulfillment of prophecy**, as God orchestrates these events to bring about the atoning sacrifice of Christ, perfectly aligning with His eternal plan for redemption ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Foreknowledge and Plan")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **released (Greek, _apolýō'_):** This verb signifies "to free fully," "to dismiss," or "to pardon." In this context, it describes Pilate's act of setting Barabbas completely at liberty. The choice of this word emphasizes the stark contrast between Barabbas's full liberation and Jesus' subsequent condemnation, highlighting the judicial decision to acquit one and condemn the other.
* **sedition (Greek, _stásis'_):** This term denotes "a standing" or "uprising," specifically referring to a popular insurrection, rebellion, or controversy. It clearly identifies Barabbas as a political insurgent involved in an organized revolt against the Roman authorities. This detail underscores the gravity of Barabbas's crimes and contrasts sharply with Jesus' peaceful, non-political claims of kingship.
* **delivered (Greek, _paradídōmi'_):** This powerful verb means "to surrender," "to yield up," "to entrust," or "to betray." It is a significant term in the New Testament, often used for Judas's betrayal of Jesus. Here, it describes Pilate's act of handing Jesus over to the will of the crowd, abandoning his judicial responsibility and effectively surrendering Jesus to His enemies for execution. It conveys a sense of abandonment and betrayal, even from a figure of authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired":** This clause details Pilate's first action: the release of Barabbas. It specifies Barabbas's egregious crimes—"sedition and murder"—indicating he was a dangerous criminal involved in political rebellion and bloodshed. The phrase "whom they had desired" underscores the crowd's active and fervent choice, highlighting their preference for a violent rebel over the innocent Messiah, a choice driven by the incitement of the religious leaders.
* **"but he delivered Jesus to their will":** This second clause presents the tragic counterpoint to Barabbas's release. The conjunction "but" emphasizes the stark contrast. Pilate, despite his previous declarations of Jesus' innocence, capitulates to the crowd's demands. To "deliver Jesus to their will" means Pilate surrendered Jesus to their malicious intent and desire for His crucifixion, effectively washing his hands of responsibility and allowing the crowd's unrighteous will to prevail over justice and truth.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 23:25 masterfully employs several literary devices to heighten the dramatic and theological impact of the scene. **Irony** is profoundly evident, as the innocent Son of God is condemned while a notorious criminal, guilty of serious offenses, is set free. This reversal of justice is a central ironic twist. **Contrast** is also a dominant feature, starkly juxtaposing Jesus, the peaceful and innocent claimant to a spiritual kingdom, with Barabbas, the violent rebel and murderer. This contrast highlights the crowd's misguided values and Pilate's moral compromise. Furthermore, the narrative uses **Foreshadowing** and **Typology**, where Barabbas's release in place of Jesus serves as a powerful prefigurement of the substitutionary atonement. Jesus, the sinless one, takes the place of the guilty, illustrating the core principle of vicarious sacrifice for sin. The concise and direct language also contributes to the **pathos** of the moment, conveying the immense tragedy and injustice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 23:25 stands as a profound theological statement on God's sovereign plan amidst human sin and injustice. The release of Barabbas and the condemnation of Jesus, though a horrific act of human depravity and political cowardice, was paradoxically part of God's predetermined will for the salvation of humanity. This moment vividly illustrates the principle of substitutionary atonement: the innocent taking the place of the guilty. Barabbas, representing humanity in its rebellion and sin, is set free because Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, is delivered up to suffer the penalty for all. This divine exchange underscores the depth of God's love and His commitment to redeem a fallen world, even through the ultimate act of injustice against His Son. It reveals that even the darkest moments of human history are woven into the tapestry of God's overarching redemptive purpose.

* [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - The Suffering Servant")
* [Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Foreknowledge and Plan")
* [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 23:25 serves as a poignant mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine our own values and choices in a world often swayed by popular opinion and political expediency. It compels us to consider whether we, like the crowd, might be tempted to choose worldly solutions or popular narratives over the truth of God's Word and the path of Christ. This verse reminds us that true justice often runs counter to the prevailing currents of society, and standing for what is right may require courage in the face of immense pressure. It also offers profound comfort, demonstrating that even in the most egregious acts of injustice, God's sovereign plan for redemption is at work. Our faith is not in human systems or leaders, but in a God whose purposes prevail even through suffering. We are called to embody Christ's spirit of self-sacrifice and to champion justice, while simultaneously trusting in the ultimate triumph of God's will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might we, consciously or unconsciously, choose "Barabbas" (worldly solutions, popular opinion, self-interest) over "Jesus" (God's truth, sacrificial love) in our daily lives?**
* **How does Pilate's moral cowardice challenge us to stand firm for truth and justice, even when it is unpopular or costly?**
* **What comfort and assurance can we draw from the fact that even this profound injustice was part of God's sovereign plan for salvation?**

### FAQ
**Who was Barabbas and why was he chosen over Jesus?**

Answer: Barabbas was a notorious prisoner, described in the Gospels as a rebel involved in an insurrection (sedition) and murder. He was likely a figure associated with violent resistance against Roman occupation, which might have made him a hero to some segments of the Jewish populace. During the Passover festival, it was customary for the Roman governor to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. Pilate, hoping to release Jesus whom he found innocent, presented the crowd with a choice between Jesus and Barabbas. However, incited by the chief priests and elders ([Matthew 27:20](/matthew/27-20 "Matthew 27:20 - The Crowd Incited")), the crowd vehemently demanded Barabbas's release, preferring a revolutionary who fought against Roman rule over Jesus, whose kingdom was not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Is Not of This World")).

**What does 'delivered Jesus to their will' imply about Pilate's actions?**

Answer: The phrase "delivered Jesus to their will" (Greek: _paradídōmi_ Jesus to their _thélēma_) signifies Pilate's ultimate capitulation and abandonment of his judicial responsibility. Despite repeatedly declaring Jesus innocent ([Luke 23:4, 14, 22](/luke/23-4-14-22 "Luke 23:4, 14, 22 - Pilate's Declarations of Innocence")), Pilate succumbed to the immense pressure from the crowd and the Jewish leaders, fearing a riot or a report to Caesar that could jeopardize his political standing ([John 19:12](/john/19-12 "John 19:12 - Pilate Fears Caesar")). By "delivering" Jesus, Pilate effectively surrendered Him into the hands of those who sought His death, allowing their malicious desire to override justice and truth. This act highlights Pilate's moral cowardice and his failure to uphold the law, making him complicit in the unjust condemnation of Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 23:25, though depicting a moment of profound human injustice, stands as a powerful testament to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The release of Barabbas, a guilty rebel and murderer, in exchange for Jesus, the innocent Son of God, is a vivid, tangible illustration of the substitutionary atonement that is at the heart of the Gospel. Barabbas, condemned by the law, is set free because Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, willingly takes his place. This dramatic exchange foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross, where He, "who knew no sin, became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us")). Jesus, the true King, was "delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification" ([Romans 4:25](/romans/4-25 "Romans 4:25 - Jesus' Death and Resurrection for Our Justification")), bearing the penalty that humanity justly deserved. His unjust condemnation by earthly powers was, in God's sovereign plan, the means by which humanity could be justly acquitted and reconciled to God, demonstrating that "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated")). Thus, the release of Barabbas serves as a poignant type, pointing directly to the greater reality of Christ's vicarious suffering and His triumphant work on the cross, securing eternal freedom for all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 3:14

But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

Mark 15:6

Now at [that] feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.

Mark 15:7

And there was [one] named Barabbas, [which lay] bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.

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.

1 Samuel 12:13

Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, [and] whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.

John 18:40

Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

Luke 23:2

And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this [fellow] perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.