Now at [that] feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.
Now {G1161} at {G2596} that feast {G1859} he released {G630} unto them {G846} one {G1520} prisoner {G1198}, whomsoever {G3746} they desired {G154}.
Now during a festival, Pilate used to set free one prisoner, whomever the crowd requested.
Now it was Pilate’s custom at the feast to release to the people a prisoner of their choosing.
Now at the feast he used to release unto them one prisoner, whom they asked of him.
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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. -
Acts 24:27
But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. -
Acts 25:9
But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? -
Matthew 27:15
Now at [that] feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. -
Matthew 27:26
¶ Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered [him] to be crucified. -
Matthew 26:5
But they said, Not on the feast [day], lest there be an uproar among the people.
Mark 15:6 describes a significant moment during Jesus' trial before Pontius Pilate, setting the stage for the crowd's fateful choice.
Context
This verse refers to an established custom during the Jewish feast of Passover (Pesach), where the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, would release one prisoner to the crowd. This practice, though not explicitly mentioned in other historical records, is consistently described in all four Gospels (Matthew 27:15, Luke 23:17, John 18:39), suggesting it was either a unique gesture by Pilate to appease the Jewish populace during a volatile festival or a localized custom in Judea. At this particular feast, the choice would be between Jesus, whom Pilate found innocent, and Barabbas, a notorious rebel and murderer. The subsequent verses reveal the crowd's clamor for Barabbas's release over Jesus, leading to Jesus' condemnation (Mark 15:7-15).
Key Themes
Linguistic Insight
The KJV's use of "[that]" in brackets indicates that the word is supplied by the translators for clarity, as it is not explicitly present in the original Greek text (τῇ ἑορτῇ - tē heortē, "at the feast"). However, the definite article "the" strongly implies a specific, well-known feast, which is undoubtedly Passover in this context.
Practical Application
This verse, though brief, sets the stage for profound theological truths. It reminds us of: