Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 27:15

"Now at the feast the governor was wont to release unto the multitude one prisoner, whom they would." — Matthew 27:15 (ASV)

At that feast. The feast of the Passover.

The governor was wont to release, etc. He was accustomed to release a prisoner. It is not known from what this custom arose or by whom it was introduced.

It was probably adopted to secure popularity among the Jews and to render the Roman government less odious.

Any little indulgence granted to the Jews during the heavy Roman oppression would serve to conciliate their favor and to keep the nation from sedition. It might often happen that when individuals were arraigned before the Romans on a charge of sedition, some particular favorite of the people, or some leader, might be among them. It is evident that if the people had the privilege of recovering such a person, it would do much to allay their feelings and make the yoke under which they groaned tolerable.