Matthew 27:20

Verse

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death.

American Standard Version (1901)

Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

Now the chief priests and those in authority got the people to make request for Barabbas, and for Jesus to be put to death.

Douay-Rheims 1899

But the chief priests and ancients persuaded the people, that they should ask Barabbas, and make Jesus away.

Free Bible Version

But the chief priests and the elders convinced the crowds to ask for Barabbas, and to have Jesus put to death.

Geneva Bible 1599

But the chiefe Priestes and the Elders had persuaded the people that they shoulde aske Barabbas, and should destroy Iesus.

King James (Authorized) Version

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

One Unity Resource Bible

Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Bar-Abba [Son Father], and destroy Yeshua [Salvation].

Translation for Translators

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd to ask Pilate to release Barabbas, and to order that Jesus be executed {that his soldiers execute Jesus}.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas, and have Jesus killed.

Noah Webster Bible

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

World English Bible

Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.

Young's Literal Translation

And the chief priests and the elders did persuade the multitudes that they might ask for themselves Barabbas, and might destroy Jesus;

Context

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

¹⁹While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered terribly in a dream today because of Him.”²⁰But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death.

Sermons

Jesus' Name Made This Man Strong

John Piper

638

Summary

In this verse, Pilate, the Roman governor, is faced with a difficult decision regarding Jesus. The chief priests and elders persuade the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released instead of Jesus. This moment reflects the manipulation and influence of religious leaders over the people, leading to the unjust condemnation of Jesus. It also highlights the political pressure Pilate faced in making a judgment, ultimately showing the fulfillment of Jesus' sacrificial mission for the salvation of humanity.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

The governor answered and said unto them,.... A second time, after some time had been allowed and taken up to consider of the matter, and which the chief priests and elders improved among the people against Jesus. Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? for as these two were proposed, one of them must be released; and it lay in the breast of the people to choose which they would: they said, Barabbas; so that Christ was not only numbered among, and reckoned with transgressors, but he was accounted worse than the worst of them; a seditious person, a robber, and a murderer was preferred before him: see Act 3:14.

Matthew 27:20

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death.

American Standard Version (1901)

Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

Bible in Basic English

Now the chief priests and those in authority got the people to make request for Barabbas, and for Jesus to be put to death.

Douay-Rheims 1899

But the chief priests and ancients persuaded the people, that they should ask Barabbas, and make Jesus away.

Free Bible Version

But the chief priests and the elders convinced the crowds to ask for Barabbas, and to have Jesus put to death.

Geneva Bible 1599

But the chiefe Priestes and the Elders had persuaded the people that they shoulde aske Barabbas, and should destroy Iesus.

King James (Authorized) Version

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

One Unity Resource Bible

Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Bar-Abba [Son Father], and destroy Yeshua [Salvation].

Translation for Translators

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd to ask Pilate to release Barabbas, and to order that Jesus be executed {that his soldiers execute Jesus}.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas, and have Jesus killed.

Noah Webster Bible

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

World English Bible

Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.

Young's Literal Translation

And the chief priests and the elders did persuade the multitudes that they might ask for themselves Barabbas, and might destroy Jesus;