MATTHEW 27:21 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.”
The governor again said to them: which of the two do you want me to release for you? And they said: Barabbas. The crowd's choice: Barabbas. The crowd who sang Hosanna to the Son of David at the triumphal entry now chooses the notorious prisoner over the one they acclaimed. The crowd's reversal is the political fickle-ness that Jesus' caution about crowd enthusiasm throughout the Gospel anticipated.
Church Fathers on Matthew 27:21
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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