Matthew 27:26

KJV

¶ Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered [him] to be crucified.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G5119} released he {G630} Barabbas {G912} unto them {G846}: and {G1161} when he had scourged {G5417} Jesus {G2424}, he delivered {G3860} him to {G2443} be crucified {G4717}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then he released to them Bar-Abba; but Yeshua, after having him whipped, he handed over to be executed on a stake.

Berean Standard Bible

So Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.

American Standard Version

Then released he unto them Barabbas; but Jesus he scourged and delivered to be crucified.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 27:26 marks the pivotal moment of Pontius Pilate's capitulation to the demands of the Jewish crowd and religious leaders, sealing Jesus' fate. After releasing the notorious criminal Barabbas, Pilate ordered Jesus to be scourged—a brutal Roman flogging—before delivering Him to be crucified. This verse encapsulates the profound injustice of Jesus' condemnation, the human rejection of God's Son, and the beginning of the physical suffering that would culminate in His atoning death on the cross.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the culmination of a series of events in Matthew's narrative detailing Jesus' trial before Pilate. It immediately follows Pilate's symbolic act of washing his hands, publicly declaring his innocence of Jesus' blood, as recorded in [Matthew 27:24](/matthew/27-24 "Matthew 27:24 - Pilate Washes His Hands"). The crowd, instigated by the chief priests and elders, had vehemently demanded the release of Barabbas, a notorious prisoner, over Jesus, despite Pilate's attempts to persuade them otherwise, leveraging a Passover custom of releasing a prisoner ([Matthew 27:15](/matthew/27-15 "Matthew 27:15 - The Passover Custom")). Thus, [Matthew 27:26](/matthew/27-26 "Matthew 27:26 - Jesus Delivered to Be Crucified") represents the tragic outcome of this political and spiritual conflict, setting the stage for the crucifixion narrative that follows.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Roman province of Judea was governed by a prefect, Pontius Pilate, who held ultimate judicial authority. Roman law permitted the governor to release a prisoner during the Passover festival, a custom likely intended to appease the Jewish populace. Barabbas was described as a "notorious prisoner" ([Matthew 27:16](/matthew/27-16 "Matthew 27:16 - Barabbas, a Notorious Prisoner")) and an insurrectionist or murderer ([Mark 15:7](/mark/15-7 "Mark 15:7 - Barabbas, an Insurrectionist")). The act of scourging (Latin: *flagellatio*) was a severe Roman punishment, often a prelude to crucifixion, designed to weaken the condemned and inflict immense pain, frequently leading to death. The *flagrum* or *flagellum* was a short whip with multiple leather thongs, often weighted with pieces of bone or metal, designed to tear the flesh and expose muscle and bone. This brutal act highlights the Roman method of punishment and the intense suffering Jesus endured.
* **Key Themes:** [Matthew 27:26](/matthew/27-26 "Matthew 27:26 - The Condemnation of Jesus") profoundly illustrates several key themes. Firstly, it underscores **Injustice and Substitution**, as an innocent man, Jesus, is condemned, while a guilty criminal, Barabbas, is set free. This exchange serves as a powerful foreshadowing and spiritual representation of Christ's substitutionary atonement, where the sinless One takes the place of the sinful, a concept articulated in [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us"). Secondly, the verse highlights the interplay of **Human Choice and Divine Plan**. While human malice, fear, and political maneuvering were undeniably at play in Pilate's decision and the crowd's shouts, this moment also underscores the sovereign plan of God for the salvation of humanity. Jesus' suffering and crucifixion, though brought about by human sin, were foretold by prophets like Isaiah (e.g., [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed")) and were part of God's eternal purpose to reconcile the world to Himself. Finally, the act of "scourging" emphasizes the **Intensity of Suffering** Jesus endured, highlighting the depth of His sacrifice even before reaching the cross.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **scourged (Greek, _phragellóō'_):** This term (G5417) comes from a presumed equivalent of the Latin *flagellum*, meaning "to whip" or "to lash as a public punishment." It refers specifically to the brutal Roman practice of flogging, a severe and often life-threatening form of torture intended to weaken the condemned and maximize suffering on the cross. It underscores the horrific physical abuse Jesus suffered.
* **delivered (Greek, _paradídōmi'_):** This word (G3860) means "to surrender," "to yield up," "to intrust," or "to transmit." In this context, it signifies Pilate's act of handing Jesus over to the Roman soldiers for the specific purpose of crucifixion. It carries the weight of betrayal and abandonment, as the one who should have protected justice instead surrendered an innocent man to a cruel fate.
* **crucified (Greek, _stauróō'_):** Derived from *stauros* (G4717), meaning "to impale on the cross." This term refers to the method of execution by nailing or tying a person to a cross. Figuratively, it can mean to extinguish or subdue passion or selfishness. Here, it denotes the ultimate, agonizing form of capital punishment reserved for the worst criminals and rebels against Rome, emphasizing the ignominious death Jesus was condemned to.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then released he Barabbas unto them":** This clause signifies Pilate's official decision to accede to the crowd's demand. The release of Barabbas, a known criminal, in place of Jesus, highlights the profound injustice and the crowd's rejection of Jesus as their Messiah. It sets up the stark contrast between the guilty one set free and the innocent one condemned.
* **"and when he had scourged Jesus":** This phrase details the immediate consequence of Pilate's decision and the first stage of Jesus' physical suffering. The scourging was a standard Roman practice preceding crucifixion, designed to inflict maximum pain and weaken the victim. It was a brutal act of torture, emphasizing the severity of the punishment Jesus endured.
* **"he delivered [him] to be crucified":** This final clause marks the ultimate condemnation and the transfer of Jesus from Pilate's custody to the soldiers for execution. The purpose clause "to be crucified" explicitly states the horrific fate awaiting Jesus, underscoring the deliberate and final nature of the Roman authorities' decision to put Him to death on the cross.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 27:26 is rich with **Irony**, as the one who embodies true freedom and life is condemned, while a criminal deserving of death is set free. This reversal of justice is deeply ironic. The passage also employs **Substitution**, a profound theological concept where Barabbas's release directly parallels Jesus' condemnation in his place. This act foreshadows the greater spiritual substitution where Christ takes the place of humanity in bearing the penalty for sin. Furthermore, the narrative uses **Foreshadowing**, as the scourging is explicitly mentioned as a prelude to crucifixion, building tension and emphasizing the escalating suffering Jesus is about to endure. The deliberate actions of Pilate and the crowd, though seemingly human choices, also serve as a dramatic **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, aligning with Old Testament predictions of the Messiah's suffering and death.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 27:26 stands as a stark testament to the depth of human sin and the boundless love of God, embodying the core of the Christian message of atonement. Pilate's act of releasing Barabbas while condemning Jesus vividly portrays the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice. Humanity, represented by Barabbas, is guilty and deserving of judgment, yet through divine design, the innocent Son of God willingly takes our place. This moment underscores the sovereignty of God, who, even amidst human injustice and rebellion, orchestrated the means of salvation, demonstrating that Christ's suffering was not a tragic accident but a purposeful act of redemption.

* [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")
* [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed")
* [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 27:26 compels us to confront the profound implications of Jesus' sacrifice for our own lives. We, like Barabbas, are deserving of judgment due to our sin, yet in an act of incomparable grace, Jesus, the innocent Son of God, willingly endured unspeakable suffering and a criminal's death in our place. This verse challenges us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to the historical facts and to deeply consider our spiritual position before God. It calls for a response of profound gratitude for the freedom purchased at such an immense cost, leading to genuine repentance for our sins and unwavering faith in the One who was scourged and crucified for our redemption. Our lives should be lived in humble acknowledgment of this substitutionary love, inspiring us to walk in obedience and share the good news of the pardon we have received.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the contrast between Barabbas and Jesus challenge your understanding of justice and grace?**
* **What does Jesus' willingness to endure scourging and crucifixion reveal about the depth of God's love for humanity?**
* **In what ways do you, like Barabbas, find yourself undeserving of the freedom Christ offers?**
* **How should the truth of Christ's substitutionary sacrifice transform your daily life and priorities?**

### FAQ

**Why did Pilate release Barabbas instead of Jesus?**

Answer: Pilate released Barabbas primarily due to intense political pressure and fear of an uprising. While he seemed to believe Jesus was innocent of any capital crime, the Jewish religious leaders and the crowd vehemently demanded Barabbas's release, leveraging a Passover custom where the Roman governor would free a prisoner chosen by the people ([Matthew 27:15](/matthew/27-15 "Matthew 27:15 - The Passover Custom")). Pilate's attempts to persuade the crowd to release Jesus were unsuccessful, and faced with their escalating shouts and threats of reporting him to Caesar ([John 19:12](/john/19-12 "John 19:12 - Pilate's Fear of Caesar")), he ultimately capitulated to maintain order and his own political standing, despite his own declared innocence ([Matthew 27:24](/matthew/27-24 "Matthew 27:24 - Pilate Washes His Hands")).

**What was the significance of scourging before crucifixion?**

Answer: Scourging was a brutal Roman punishment, typically administered before crucifixion. Its significance was multifaceted: it served as a severe form of torture intended to inflict immense pain and weaken the condemned, often to the point of collapse or even death, thereby shortening the time spent on the cross. It was also a public humiliation, designed to deter others from similar offenses and assert Roman authority. For Jesus, the scourging fulfilled Old Testament prophecy regarding the suffering Messiah ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed")) and underscored the depth of the physical agony He endured as part of His atoning sacrifice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 27:26, though a grim account of injustice, powerfully foreshadows and embodies the core of Christ's redemptive work. The exchange of Barabbas for Jesus is a vivid tableau of **substitutionary atonement**, where the guilty is set free because the innocent takes his place. Barabbas, a criminal deserving of death, represents all humanity enslaved by sin, while Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), willingly endures the scourging and crucifixion meant for us. This act of being "delivered to be crucified" was not a random tragedy but the fulfillment of God's eternal plan, foretold in the prophets ([Isaiah 53:10](/isaiah/53-10 "Isaiah 53:10 - The Lord's Will to Bruise Him")), that through His suffering and death, reconciliation with God would be made possible ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ's Blood")). Jesus' willingness to endure such horrific physical and spiritual torment demonstrates the immeasurable love of God, who "did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all" ([Romans 8:32](/romans/8-32 "Romans 8:32 - God Gave Up His Son")). Thus, Matthew 27:26 is not merely a historical account of a Roman execution, but a profound theological statement on the nature of salvation, revealing Christ as the one who bore our judgment so that we might receive His life ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")).

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

Isaiah 53:5

But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

John 19:1

¶ Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged [him].

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.

Isaiah 50:6

I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

Luke 23:16

I will therefore chastise him, and release [him].

Matthew 20:19

And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify [him]: and the third day he shall rise again.

1 Peter 2:24

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.