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PER345
The release of a prisoner
During the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor tries to use the Passover custom of releasing a prisoner in order to avoid condemning Jesus. He offers the crowd a choice between Jesus and Barabbas, a notorious criminal, convinced that the people will make the right choice. His wife's intervention strengthens his hesitation. This scene, attested by all four gospels, illustrates the manipulation by the religious authorities and theologically prefigures redemptive substitution.
Mark 15.6-19 (King James Version) :Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?And they cried out again, Crucify him.Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Prætorium; and they call together the whole band.And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org