New King James Version
Matthew 27:16
16And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
Matthew 27:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
- New International Version (NIV)At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas.
- English Standard Version (ESV)And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
- New Living Translation (NLT)This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named Barabbas.
Context of Matthew 27:16
14But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly. 15Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.
Read all of Matthew 27Matthew 27:16 word by word
εἶχον δὲ τότε δέσμιον ἐπίσημον λεγόμενον Ἰησοῦν Βαραββᾶν.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Matthew 27:16
- Mark 15:7And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion.
- Luke 23:18And they all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”—
- John 18:40Then they all cried again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.
- Acts 3:14But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
- Romans 1:32who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
Commentaries on Matthew 27:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16A notable prisoner - Barabbas - This person had, a short time before, raised an insurrection in Jerusalem, in which it appears, from Mark 15:7, some lives were lost. In some MSS., and in the Armenian and Syriac Hieros., this man has the surname of Jesus. Professor Birch has discovered this reading in a Vatican MS., written in 949, and numbered 354, in which is a marginal note which has been attributed to Anastasius, bishop of Antioch, and to Chrysostom…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15-23Verses 15-23 See also the parallel places in Mark 15:6-14; Luke 23:17-23; John 18:39-40. Matthew 27:15 At that feast - The feast of the Passover. The governor was wont to release - that is, was “accustomed” to release. From what this custom arose, or by whom it was introduced, is not known. It was probably adopted to secure popularity among the Jews, and to render the government of the Romans less odious. Any little indulgence granted to the Jews during…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-25Verses 11-25 Having no malice against Jesus, Pilate urged him to clear himself, and laboured to get him discharged. The message from his wife was a warning. God has many ways of giving checks to sinners, in their sinful pursuits, and it is a great mercy to have such checks from Providence, from faithful friends, and from our own consciences. O do not this abominable thing which the Lord hates! is what we may hear said to us, when we are entering into…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16notorious prisoner named Barabbas: He is also called an "insurrectionist" (Mark 15:7; John 18:40). This word can also mean a robber or someone who led a revolt (see Luke 23:19). To the zealots, Barabbas was considered a hero.Read the comment
Topics related to Matthew 27:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Matthew 27
- 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
- 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries