Barabbas was an insurgent, criminal, and enemy of Rome. Pilate gave the elders a dangerous choice concerning him. If they asked to free Barabbas, they would be aligning themselves with the enemies of Rome. Therefore, Pilate tried to draw the elders into a trap, offering to release either Jesus or Barabbas, for he knew that Jesus was peace-loving and not a rebel.
It is not likely that the governor’s wife had heard much concerning Jesus, at least not so as to dream of Him. So it is apparent that her dream was from God. Perhaps she was one of the devout and honorable women who had some sense of religion. However, God does reveal Himself by dreams to some who are not religious, such as Nebuchadnezzar.
Pilate’s wife suffered because of this dream. Whether it concerned the cruel treatment of an innocent person or the judgment that would fall upon those responsible for his death, it was a frightful dream, and her thoughts troubled her.
The testimony of the governor’s wife was an honor to our Lord Jesus. She referred to Him as a “just man,” even when He was persecuted as the worst of criminals. When even His friends were afraid to appear in defense of Him, God made those who were strangers and enemies to speak in His favor. Although Peter denied Him, Judas acknowledged Him. When the chief priests pronounced Him guilty of death, Pilate declared that he found no fault in Him. While the women who followed Jesus stood afar off, Pilate’s wife, who knew little of Him, showed sincere concern for Him.
God will not leave Himself without witnesses to the truth, even when it seems to be spitefully run down by its enemies and shamefully deserted by its friends. The governor believed in ghosts and trusted in them. He did not know the true God but was afraid of numerous gods, ghosts, and spirits. Yet his wife heard about Jesus’ merciful works and became confused about His arrest. God increased her anxiety to the point that she thought that her husband was about to commit the worst mistake of his life. She was not ashamed to send a messenger to warn him strongly and save him from the judgment against a transgressor of God’s will.