Charles Ellicott 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)

The governor was accustomed to release

It is not known when this practice began or whether it was primarily a Jewish or a Roman custom. The fact that releasing criminals was a common part of a Latin lectisternium, a feast in honor of the gods, makes a Roman origin more probable. If Pilate introduced it—and this is the only recorded instance of the practice—we may believe it was a concession intended to conciliate those whom his previous severities had alienated.

Before this stage of the proceedings, we must place two other events:

1. The second conference between Pilate and the priests after his dialogue with our Lord, where they made their definite charge of sedition for the first time (Luke 23:4–5).
2. Pilate’s attempt—catching at the word “Galilee” as the scene of our Lord’s work—to transfer the responsibility of judging to Herod (Luke 23:6–12).