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Explanation for:
Matthew
27
:
17
They therefore being gathered together, Pilate said: Whom will you that I release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus that is called Christ?
12
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"If you are unwilling, he remarked, to release him as innocent, then at the very least let him be released as guilty for the sake of the feast. Can you not see the inversion of justice? The tradition used to dictate that the crowd would call for the release of those condemned, and the governor would acquiesce. Now, however, the opposite occurs: the governor solicits the populace, yet they remain unbridled, growing more tumultuous, stirring up cries fueled by jealousy. The governor asks for their decision, but they only become more fervent, inciting a furious outcry. They had no accusations to levy against Him, even in His silence; the multitude of evidences demonstrating Christ's righteousness shone through, even in His quietude. He who remained silent triumphed over those who incessantly accused and raged against Him."},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"In the Gospel of the Hebrews, Barabbas is referred to as the son of their teacher and was sentenced for treason and murder. Pilate presents a choice to the crowd, asking whom they want to be released: the criminal or Jesus. He is certain that Jesus will be favored, recognizing that the leaders handed Him over out of jealousy. Thus, it is clear that envy was the underlying motive for the crucifixion."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"During the festival, specifically the Passover, as noted by John, Pilate remarked, \\"But it is your custom that I will let one of you go on the Passover.\\" Luke further clarifies this by stating that Barabbas was incarcerated due to the violence and murder committed in the city. Thus, although Pilate was unable to release Jesus Christ, an entirely innocent individual, he sought to grant Him forgiveness on this significant day, as though He had been sentenced."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"When the Lord chose not to defend Himself, fully aware that doing so would not change His fate, Pilate opted for a different approach, ultimately adhering to tradition. He appeared to suggest that, since Jesus would not be freed as an innocent man, they might at least find joy in the feast by releasing Him, even as a condemned individual. It was unfathomable for Pilate to believe they would call for the crucifixion of the innocent Jesus while letting the guilty thief go free. Understanding that Christ is blameless but aware of the envy directed at Him, Pilate posed his question, revealing his own fragility when he should have stood for righteousness. As a result, he becomes deserving of reproach for failing to uphold the truth. The name ‘Barabbas’ means ‘son of the father’ where 'bar' signifies son and 'abba' denotes father. Thus, the Jews pleaded for the son of their father, the devil, and chose to crucify Jesus. They continue to cling to the son of their father, the Antichrist, while rejecting Christ."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"As the crowd assembled, Pilate addressed them, saying, \\"I understand that it is the tradition to release a prisoner during the festival, and I've been informed that you wish for Barabbas to be liberated. I will not prevent you, but I present you with another option: WHOM DO YOU WISH ME TO SET FREE: Barabbas, OR JESUS, WHO IS CALLED THE CHRIST, the King of the Jews?\\" St. Chrysostom remarks, \\"If you do not wish to release Him, acknowledging His innocence, at the very least, allow Him to be freed for the celebration, even if it means considering Him guilty.\\""},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"“Whomever you desire…” Pilate was persuaded of Jesus' righteousness and sought to release Him. He recognized that while the scribes and Pharisees despised the Lord, the crowds held Him in high esteem, perhaps hoping that they would favor Him over a notorious criminal like Barabbas. However, that was not the case. “Do you perceive the distortion of justice? The traditional practice was that the populace would request the release of a condemned man, and the governor would grant this. Now the roles are reversed: the governor demands this from the people—yet they remain unrestrained, even more zealous, shouting out in fury and envy” (Chrysostom). By referring to Jesus as “the Christ,” Pilate might have intended to sway their beliefs."},{"author-name":"Philaret (Gumilevski)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c896f4b6fd32caa244b5d7_Philaret%20(Gumilevski).png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Sanhedrin approached Pilate after their dealings with Herod. Pilate realized that his clever maneuvers had proven ineffective, leaving him entangled in the same predicament. Faced with the arrogant Sanhedrin and the purity of Jesus, he informed them that his investigation had concluded, in their presence, that Jesus Christ was innocent. Moreover, Herod's court had found no grounds for death; therefore, Pilate reasoned, he could either release Jesus or punish him. The Sanhedrin fell silent, and Pilate recognized that this was not the response they had anticipated (Luke 23:13-16). The internal conflict between his weakness and moral integrity remained unresolved. Consequently, he sought an alternative. \\n\\nThe crowd expected Pilate to grant clemency to one of the prisoners during the Passover feast (Mark 15:8). Thus, he presented the choice between Barabbas and Christ Jesus. It was clear that Pilate wished to acquit Jesus, firmly believing that envy was the motive behind the accusations against Him (Mark 15:10). Why, then, did Pilate harbor good intentions yet take no decisive action? Why did he possess knowledge of the truth but fail to defend it? The absence of genuine love for the truth within him allowed worldly desires to overshadow his conscience. By expressing his belief in Jesus' innocence to the Sanhedrin and yet choosing to punish Him, Pilate betrayed the very truth he recognized. He strayed into a web of deceit by equating the innocent Jesus with Barabbas, a notorious insurrectionist and thief (Luke 23:15) who was imprisoned alongside others guilty of murder during uprisings (Mark 15:7). \\n\\nPilate placed the innocent Christ alongside such a criminal! Was Pilate's calculation not to think that an evident wrongdoer might be preferable to the innocent Jesus? He indeed did. But was he truly a judge? A representative of Caesar? No, he relinquished his authority and delegated it to others. To whom did he surrender his power? To those hostile to Jesus. The proud Roman sunk further into moral decay. It is now evident that Pilate would ally himself with Caiaphas as he had with Herod. Sinners of all kinds—hypocrites, brazen Sadducees, strong-willed men, and those weakened by vice—were converging against Jesus. \\n\\nRepresentatives of powerful Rome stood against Him, as did those of feeble leadership; the educated and uneducated, soldiers and servants alike. Surprisingly, the same populace that had previously proclaimed “Hosanna” would now side with Jesus’ adversaries."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Upon learning that Herod had not condemned Jesus but had merely ridiculed Him, Pilate went out to the Lyphostron. He addressed the chief priests, the leaders of the people, and the crowd, stating, “You have brought this man before me, claiming He corrupts the nation; yet, I have examined Him in your presence and have found no guilt in Him regarding any charges you bring against Him. Neither did Herod, for I sent Him to him, and nothing worthy of death has been discovered in Him” (Luke 23:14-15). Therefore, I must release Him. However, if you insist on holding Him accountable for something and deem Him deserving of punishment, I will chastise Him, but afterward, I will set Him free” (Luke 23:16). \\n\\nIs this a just judge? To deem the Accused innocent of all accusations yet, to appease the wicked accusers, inflict punishment upon Him? He aimed, as they say, to satisfy both groups, but he misjudged the situation: the chief priests, observing his indecision, grew increasingly demanding; their thirst for blood could not be quenched by any concession—only the death of Jesus would fulfill their desires. Still, Pilate hoped to resolve the matter in a way that would satisfy both sides. The gathered crowd reminded him of the tradition during Passover to release one prisoner, and although he realized that they would likely demand Barabbas—who had been found guilty of insurrection and murder—he thought that if he proposed releasing Jesus instead of Barabbas, the people might choose to free their Galilean prophet. Thus, he asked them, “Which do you want me to release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ?”"},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In an effort to revisit a case that troubled him, Pilate sought to find a way to spare an innocent man whom he believed to be unjustly accused, while also preserving the honor of the initial verdict of acquittal he had issued. To this end, he aimed to appeal to the mercy and goodwill of the populace. It was customary for the Roman governor to set free a prisoner during the Passover, honoring the choice of the people. Aware that the charges against Jesus were fabricated by the high priests and elders, and recognizing that the crowd had recently expressed their fervent support for Christ, he suggested offering two prisoners for their selection: Christ and the notorious thief and murderer Barabbas. Pilate hoped that the crowd would choose the one they had joyfully welcomed as the son of David."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"A large gathering had assembled outside Pilate's Praetorium. Some individuals, having learned about the trial of Jesus Christ, were eager to hear the verdict, while others may have come to exercise their right to vote for the customary release of a prisoner during the festival. Pilate was aware of the reverence the crowd held for their Master, the Miracle Worker, and the Benefactor, and, recognizing His innocence, anticipated that public sentiment would assist him in his efforts to release the accused. However, considering the relentless insistence of the accusers who demanded the Lord’s condemnation, Pilate sought to appease them by resorting to physical punishment of the accused. The conscience of the pagan ruler was not troubled by the fact that an innocent man would suffer undeserved shame and brutal treatment, as long as his wisdom and mercy in saving Him from death were lauded. Calling upon the chief priests and rulers who had returned from Herod and inviting the people to approach his judgment seat, Pilate proclaimed, “You have brought me this man as one who misleads the people, and I will have him punished before you; yet I find no reason for a charge against Him, for I sent Him to Herod, and nothing deserving of death has been found in Him.” The governor believed that such a verdict would not only placate the opponents of the Lord but would also be particularly well-received by the people. There was a custom, likely instituted by the Romans to curry favor with the populace, wherein the governor would free one prisoner annually at the feast of Passover, chosen by the people themselves. The eager crowd, ready to exercise this right, began to shout and implore Pilate to fulfill this tradition. He was well aware that the people who had attentively heard the teachings of Jesus Christ and had benefitted from His numerous acts of kindness held no ill will against their Benefactor. “Is it your custom,” Pilate asked, “to release one man at Passover? Do you wish me to release the King of the Jews?” The designation of Jesus as King of the Jews might have appeared to Christ's adversaries as a taunt from the governor, but to the populace, it aimed to rekindle memories of a glorious past and the hopeful anticipation of a future fulfillment through the coming of the Messiah-King. Pilate thought that both associations could sway the crowd to sympathize with the Prisoner, who seemingly resonated with their hopes."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"According to the Gospel of John, Pilate made two efforts to set Jesus free. He encouraged the crowd to utilize the tradition of releasing a prisoner, allowing them to choose between Jesus and Barabbas. Following this, he subjected Jesus to humiliation by placing a crown of thorns upon His head, dressing Him in a purple robe, and striking His hands (18:39-40, 19:1, etc.)."},{"author-name":"Alexander Gorsky","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8884037c1e1c51e1332e2_Alexander%20Gorsky.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Pilate, recognizing the unwavering demands of the chief priests, proposes that Jesus be released, in accordance with the tradition of freeing a prisoner during Passover. This approach would allow the Sanhedrin's verdict to be maintained while sparing the accused's life. To appease the animosity directed at Jesus, Pilate ordered His scourging. Yet, the crowd, influenced by the chief priests' instructions, cried out for Barabbas instead of Jesus to be set free. Confused about how to proceed, Pilate received a message from his wife, who had just experienced a dream that made her plead for the Righteous One's acquittal, though she did not explicitly name Him (Matt. 27:19). This further inclined Pilate towards releasing Jesus, for the prospect of condemning a divine figure to death troubled even a Roman governor. However, the chief priests intensified their accusations, charging Jesus with instigating rebellion among the people and forbidding them from paying taxes to Caesar, effectively building on their initial claims (Luke 23:2). They insisted that Jesus espoused this teaching originating from Galilee."}]}
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