Luke 23:17

Luke 23:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)(For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)
• New King James Version (NKJV)(for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast).

Context of Luke 23:17

15No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him. 16Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” [Now he was obligated to release to them at the feast one prisoner.] 18But they cried out all together, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas!” 19(He was one who had been thrown into prison for a revolt that took place in the city, and for murder.)

Luke 23:17 word by word

• Nowδέde · thenG1161
• he was obligatedἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• he was obligatedἀνάγκηanagkē · necessityG318
• to releaseἀπολύωapoluō · to release: releaseG630
• to them at the feastἑορτήheortē · festivalG1859
• oneεἷςheis · oneG1520

Cross-references for Luke 23:17

• Matthew 27:15Now at the Passover Feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted.
• Mark 15:6Now at the Passover Feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested.
• John 18:39However, you have a custom that I release one prisoner for you at the Passover; therefore do you wish that I release for you the King of the Jews?”

Commentaries on Luke 23:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17For of necessity he must release one - That is, he was under the necessity of releasing one at this feast. The custom, however it originated, had now been so completely established that Pilate was obliged to attend to it. See on Matthew 27:15; (note).Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17See the notes at Matthew 27:15.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-25Verses 13-25 The fear of man brings many into this snare, that they will do an unjust thing, against their consciences, rather than get into trouble. Pilate declares Jesus innocent, and has a mind to release him; yet, to please the people, he would punish him as an evil-doer. If no fault be found in him, why chastise him? Pilate yielded at length; he had not courage to go against so strong a stream. He delivered Jesus to their will, to be crucified.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16-18I will punish Him: The Greek verb can mean “instruct,” “punish,” or “discipline.” It refers to a mild whipping for minor offenses. This was different from the severe flogging Romans gave before crucifixion (see Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15).Read the comment

Topics related to Luke 23:17

• Complicity
• Criminals
• Demagogism
• Jesus, the Christ
• Opinion, Public
• Passover
• Politics
• Priest
• Prisoners

In the dictionaries

• Certainly
• Commend
• Condemnation
• Crucify
• Gorgeous
• Humiliation of Christ
• Paradise
• Superscription
• Jesus Christ
• Luke, the Gospel of

Commentaries on Luke 23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings