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Commentaries
English
John
  
b) The choice between Jesus and Barabbas
(John 18:39-40)
39But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. Will you have me release for you the King of the Jews?"40They cried out again, "Not this man, but Barabbas!". Now Barabbas was a robber.


Pilate felt convinced that Jesus was truthful and posed no danger. He went out to the Jews who were waiting in the court, and publicly witnessed to the innocence of the accused. All four gospels confirm that Jesus was sinless according to religious law as well as the civil statutes. He could not as the governor pin any blame on Jesus. So the agent of the civil authority admitted Jesus’ innocence.
Pilate wished to rid himself of this strange person, but was also anxious to please the Jews. He suggested releasing the prisoner on the basis of a custom which allowed one of the convicts to be pardoned on the Feast day. He tried to placate the high priest by calling Jesus king of the Jews in derision. If Pilate had released him, Jesus would lose his popular appeal (so Pilate argued), since he could not free his people from the yoke of Rome.
However, priests and people went mad at the title "King of the Jews". They had expected a military hero, a man dominant and severe. So they chose Barabbas the felon; preferring a man of sin to God’s holy One.
Not only was the Council antagonistic to Jesus, but it was also the populace who scorned him. Do you then stand alongside truth, meek and unarmed, or are you like the legalist who relies on violence and deceit, leaving aside both mercy and truth?