MATTHEW 27:15 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.”
Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. The Passover prisoner release custom — attested in the Gospels and consistent with Roman provincial governance practices — is the mechanism that Pilate will try to use to release Jesus without directly challenging the chief priests.
Church Fathers on Matthew 27:15
Because Christ had answered nothing to the accusations of the Jews, by which Pilate could acquit Him of what was alleged against Him, he contrives other means of saving Him.
Thus do the Gentiles shew favours to those whom they subject to themselves, until their yoke is riveted. Yet did this practice obtain also among the Jews, Saul did not put Jonathan to death, because all the people sought his life. [marg. note: 1 Sam 14]
In the Gospel entitled 'according to the Hebrews,' Barabbas is interpreted, 'The son of their master,' who had been condemned for sedition and murder. Pilate gives them the choice between Jesus and the robber, not doubting but that Jesus would be the rather chosen.
Read all 29 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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