Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.
It was Passover, early in the morning, in the judgment hall of Pilate the Roman governor, where Christ stood bound as a prisoner surrounded by soldiers and spectators while the priests, rulers, elders and mob remained outside. The Jewish officials would not enter the hall, because ceremonial defilement would keep them from the Passover, yet murderous hatred had already defiled their hearts. By rejecting Christ, the real Passover Lamb, they had emptied the great feast of its meaning. Pilate had been called hastily from rest to confirm and execute their sentence, ready to act with severity, but he was struck by Jesus, who showed no guilt, fear, boldness or defiance but calm and dignified bearing, goodness and nobility with the signature of heaven. That sight roused Pilate's better nature and his memory of Jesus curing the sick and raising the dead.
It was the governor's custom at the feast to release to the crowd one prisoner, whomever they desired and chose at the people's request. Pilate tried to use this custom to save Jesus, whom he knew to be innocent and repeatedly declared to be without fault, by offering the crowd a choice between Jesus and Barabbas. He hoped they would choose Jesus and that the matter would end with His punishment, expecting the contrast between innocence and guilt to persuade them. The alternative set before them was a notorious criminal who falsely claimed to be Christ. He was also a notorious robber and murderer. Stirred up by the priests, the people chose Barabbas and demanded his release and Jesus' crucifixion.
The choice of Barabbas over Jesus was choosing Satan over Christ, the Son of God and Creator. This choice is repeated in the world whenever people reject Christ. Each person by that rejection shows whom he chooses.
It was Passover, early in the morning, in the judgment hall of Pilate the Roman governor, where Christ stood bound as a prisoner surrounded by soldiers and spectators while the priests, rulers, elders and mob remained outside. The Jewish officials would not enter the hall, because ceremonial defilement would keep them from the Passover, yet murderous hatred had already defiled their hearts. By rejecting Christ, the real Passover Lamb, they had emptied the great feast of its meaning. Pilate had been called hastily from rest to confirm and execute their sentence, ready to act with severity, but he was struck by Jesus, who showed no guilt, fear, boldness or defiance but calm and dignified bearing, goodness and nobility with the signature of heaven. That sight roused Pilate's better nature and his memory of Jesus curing the sick and raising the dead.
It was the governor's custom at the feast to release to the crowd one prisoner, whomever they desired and chose at the people's request. Pilate tried to use this custom to save Jesus, whom he knew to be innocent and repeatedly declared to be without fault, by offering the crowd a choice between Jesus and Barabbas. He hoped they would choose Jesus and that the matter would end with His punishment, expecting the contrast between innocence and guilt to persuade them. The alternative set before them was a notorious criminal who falsely claimed to be Christ. He was also a notorious robber and murderer. Stirred up by the priests, the people chose Barabbas and demanded his release and Jesus' crucifixion.
The choice of Barabbas over Jesus was choosing Satan over Christ, the Son of God and Creator. This choice is repeated in the world whenever people reject Christ. Each person by that rejection shows whom he chooses.