“Pilate released
The man
They asked for.
This is the one
Who had been put
In prison
For insurrection
And murder.
However,
He handed Jesus over
As they wished.”
ἀπέλυσεν δὲ τὸν διὰ στάσιν καὶ φόνον βεβλημένον εἰς φυλακὴν, ὃν ᾐτοῦντο, τὸν δὲ Ἰησοῦν παρέδωκεν τῷ θελήματι αὐτῶν.
Luke said that Pilate released (ἀπέλυσεν δὲ) the man that they asked for (ὃν ᾐτοῦντο), the one who had been put in prison (βεβλημένον εἰς φυλακὴν) for insurrection (τὸν διὰ στάσιν) and murder (καὶ φόνον), Barabbas. On the other hand, he handed Jesus over (τὸν δὲ Ἰησοῦν παρέδωκεν), as they had wished (τῷ θελήματι αὐτῶν). In John, chapter 19:16, Pilate also handed Jesus over to be crucified. Mark, chapter 15:15, said Pilate wished to satisfy the crowd (ὁ δὲ Πειλᾶτος βουλόμενος τῷ ὄχλῳ τὸ ἱκανὸν ποιῆσαι). Thus, he released Barabbas to them (ἀπέλυσεν αὐτοῖς τὸν Βαραββᾶν). After flogging or whipping Jesus (καὶ παρέδωκεν τὸν Ἰησοῦν φραγελλώσας), he handed him over to be crucified (ἵνα σταυρωθῇ). Matthew, chapter 27:26 said Pilate released Barabbas to the crowd (τότε ἀπέλυσεν αὐτοῖς τὸν Βαραββᾶν). After flogging or whipping Jesus (ὸν δὲ Ἰησοῦν φραγελλώσας), he handed him over to be crucified (παρέδωκεν ἵνα σταυρωθῇ). Crucifixion was the common Roman form for the death penalty. This whipping, flogging, or scourging was also a common way of preparing the person for death. Those condemned to die were then nailed to planks in order to die of asphyxiation on a cross planted in the ground, so that they were not able to breath. It sounds gruesome, but that is the way they did things back in the day. Would you endure a crucifixion?
