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1
A Political Ploy
Commentators widely agree that the custom of releasing a prisoner was not a Jewish religious law but a Roman political strategy. Scholars like Gill and Barnes explain that the governor likely did this annually at Passover to gain favor with the Jewish people, make Roman rule more tolerable, and prevent uprisings. It was a human custom, not a divine command.
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Matthew
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Commentaries
8
Albert Barnes
On Matthew 27:15
18th Century
Theologian
At that feast. The feast of the Passover.
The governor was wont to release, etc. He was accustomed to release a prisoner. …
Charles Spurgeon
On Matthew 27:15–30
19th Century
Preacher
Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Ba…
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Matthew 27:15
In Roman law an imperial magistrate could acquit a prisoner not yet condemned or pardon one already condemned; but the gospel accounts make this a …
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John Calvin
On Matthew 27:15
16th Century
Theologian
Now the governor was wont at the festival. This describes to us, on the one hand, the insatiable cruelty of the priests, and on the other,…
John Gill
On Matthew 27:15
17th Century
Pastor
Now at [that] feast
The Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions read, "at every feast": which looks as if the authors …
Matthew Henry
On Matthew 27:11–25
17th Century
Minister
Having no malice against Jesus, Pilate urged Him to clear Himself and labored to get Him discharged. The message from his wife was a warning. God h…
Thomas Aquinas
On Matthew 27:1–26
13th Century
Philosopher
Above, the Evangelist recounted what Christ suffered from the Jews; here, he recounts what He suffered from the Gentiles. And he does four things:<…