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Explanation for:
Matthew
27
:
18
For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
10
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{"arr":[{"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, this Barabbas is referred to as the son of their teacher, and he faced condemnation for acts of treason and murder. Pilate then poses a question to the crowd about whom they wish to be freed: the thief or Jesus. He is confident that they will select Jesus, understanding that their betrayal stemmed from jealousy. Hence, it is clear that envy was the driving force behind the crucifixion on the cross."},{"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":"He considered and understood that the crowd would never choose Barabbas, the murderer, over Himself. Thus, filled with boldness, he inquired, \\"Whom do you wish for me to release to you?\\" As noted in the Gospel of Mark (Mark 15:8), prior to this query, the people started to shout and seek what he had consistently provided for them. Their plea was for the liberation of a prisoner. Seizing this timely moment, Pilate dared to pose his question."},{"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 vindicate Himself, fully aware that doing so would not lead to His release, Pilate sought alternative means and ultimately adhered to tradition, suggesting that if they refused to free Jesus, then at least in His condemned state, He might be granted some joy during the festival. How could Pilate believe they would demand the crucifixion of the innocent Jesus while allowing the guilty thief to go free? Understanding that Christ is blameless yet facing envy, he posed this question to them, thereby revealing his own weakness, for he should have been willing to endure suffering for righteousness' sake. Consequently, he is deserving of condemnation for obscuring the truth. The name 'Barabbas' means 'the son of the father,' with 'bar' signifying son and 'abba' meaning father. Thus, the Jews pleaded for the son of their father, the devil, and condemned Jesus. Yet, they continue to embrace 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":"For he was aware, the holy Evangelist notes, that he had been betrayed out of jealousy. St. Chrysostom highlights the distortion of tradition, stating that it was customary for the people to plead for the condemned, and for the governor to grant them release. Now the roles have reversed: the governor demands a choice from the people, who, far from being subdued, grow even more agitated and shout in rage out of envy. Pilate then presents them with the option of selecting between Barabbas and Jesus Christ, opting not to deliver a verdict himself; where then is the justice of which the ancient Romans prided themselves? It is clear that Pilate would soon align himself with Caiaphas, having already formed an alliance with Herod. Thus, all wrongdoers unite against Jesus Christ: the vile hypocrites, the brazen Sadducees, the learned scribes, the uneducated, the soldiers, the servants, the elite, and the crowds. By referring to Jesus Christ as the King of the Jews, Pilate might have intended to instruct the Jewish people, suggesting that their honor called for the release and preservation of this Man, whose only crime was being addressed as King of the Jews. Little did Pilate realize that the adversaries of the Lord might perceive his words as mocking the people by advocating for the freedom of the King of the Jews. While Pilate leaned toward siding with the enemies of Christ, he received a crucial admonition urging him not to harm the innocent Captive."},{"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":"Out of envy, they were resentful of the authority that the Lord Jesus held over the crowds, as well as of the affection and respect that the people showed toward Christ. This was evident to Pilate, both from Jesus' demeanor and from the actions of His adversaries, who spread false accusations."},{"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 following their meeting with Herod. Pilate sensed that his scheming had done little to alleviate his predicament and had left him entangled in the same troubles as before. What options did he have regarding the arrogant Sanhedrin? How should he address the purity of Jesus? He informed the Sanhedrin that after conducting an inquiry, which included their presence, he found Jesus Christ to be innocent, and Herod's judgment echoed the same sentiment—it deemed Him not deserving of death. Pilate concluded that it was his decision to either punish Jesus or release Him. The Sanhedrin remained silent, and Pilate understood that this was not the response they anticipated (Luke 23:13-16). Thus, the internal struggle of weakness versus conscience continued for Pilate. He resorted to an alternative approach. The crowds expected the customary pardon of one criminal during the Passover festival (Mark 15:8). Consequently, Pilate presented the choice to the people: Barabbas or Jesus Christ. It was clear that Pilate sought to liberate Jesus—he was persuaded that Jesus had been unjustly accused out of envy (Mark 15:10). Yet, why did Pilate harbor goodwill but not act upon it? Why was there an awareness of the truth yet no firm commitment to defend it? The absence of genuine devotion to truth within him allowed worldly concerns to overshadow his conscience. Pilate further denied the truth by asserting Jesus' innocence to the Sanhedrin while simultaneously vowing to punish Him in contradiction to his own beliefs. He strayed far into deception as he, recognizing Jesus' innocence, equated Him with Barabbas. Who was Barabbas? A insurrectionist and thief (Luke 23:15) whose rebellion had resulted in murder (Mark 15:7). Pilate likened the innocent Jesus to such a criminal! What was Pilate's strategy? Did he truly believe that an evident wrongdoer could be favored over the sinless Jesus? He did. But was he acting as a judge? Was he upholding the authority of Caesar? No. He relinquished his own authority, passing it to others. And to whom did he yield this authority? To the mobs! The once-proud Roman descended further into moral decay. At this point, it becomes apparent that Pilate would align himself with Caiaphas as he had with Herod. It is evident that various sinners, from hypocritical rulers and shameless Sadducees to both strong and weakened individuals, regardless of their station—representatives of formidable Rome or feeble royalty, educated and uneducated alike, soldiers and servants—were gathering against Jesus Christ. The very same crowds who had recently proclaimed hosanna in joy would now turn against Him."},{"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 only ridiculed Jesus without formally condemning Him, Pilate stepped out to the Lyphostron and addressed the chief priests, the leaders of the people, and the crowd, saying, “You have brought this man before me as one who misleads the nation; I have examined Him in your presence and found no guilt in Him regarding the accusations you bring against Him, nor has Herod, as I sent Him to him, and nothing was discovered in Him that merits death” (Luke 23:14-15). “Therefore, I will release Him.” However, if you still deem Him deserving of punishment, I am willing to chastise Him; yet after chastisement, I will release Him” (Luke 23:16). Is this what a fair judge does? To determine that the Accused is innocent of the charges and, in an effort to appease the spiteful accusers, to punish Him? He sought, as they say, to satisfy both sides, but he misjudged the situation: the chief priests, observing his indecision, pressed their demands even more fervently; no compromise could quench their thirst for blood—only the death of Jesus would suffice. Nevertheless, Pilate still entertained the hope of finding a resolution that would appease both factions. The gathered multitude reminded him of the tradition of releasing a prisoner during the Passover, and although he anticipated that they would request the release of Barabbas, who had been convicted of insurrection and murder, he believed that if he offered to set Jesus free in place of Barabbas, the people would seize the chance to liberate their Galilean prophet. Thus, he posed the question to the crowd, “Whom do you wish 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":"Faced with the challenge of addressing a case that caused him displeasure, and wanting to spare what he believed was an innocent individual while upholding the integrity of his initial verdict, Pilate sought to invoke the mercy and goodwill of the populace. It was a customary practice of the Roman governor during the Passover to grant the release of a prisoner based on the desires of the crowd. Aware that the allegations against Jesus stemmed from the religious leaders and elders, and recognizing that the people had recently expressed a fervent admiration for Christ, Pilate proposed the release of two prisoners: Jesus and the notorious thief and murderer Barabbas. He hoped that the people would choose the one they had joyfully hailed as the son of David."},{"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, observing the unwavering resolve of the chief priests, proposed to at least release Jesus, as it was customary to free a prisoner during the Passover. This way, the judgment of the Sanhedrin could be upheld, and the accused might remain alive. To appease their animosity towards Jesus, Pilate ordered Him to be scourged. However, the crowd shouted, following the directives of the chief priests: Release not Jesus, but Barabbas. As Pilate found himself in a dilemma regarding his decision in this matter, a message arrived from his wife. She had recently experienced a dream that deeply concerned her about the righteous man. Without mentioning His name, she urged Pilate that He should not be condemned, which he recognized to be the situation (Matt. 27:19). This encouraged Pilate even more to consider sparing Jesus. The notion of sentencing a divine being to death could unsettle anyone, even a Roman governor.\\n\\nYet, the chief priests intensified their efforts. They accused Jesus of inciting rebellion among the people, alleging that He was misleading them by instructing them against paying taxes to Caesar. Thus, they began to extrapolate from their initial charges (Luke 23:2). As they pressed on with this accusation, they claimed that Jesus had brought such teachings from Galilee."},{"author-name":"Nikolaj Alexandrow","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Herod's perspective further validated Pilate's belief in Christ's righteousness. However, when Pilate relayed this to the Sanhedrin, they reiterated their call for Christ's execution. Lacking the moral strength to oppose the Sanhedrin's unjust request, Pilate sought a solution that would appease both the Sanhedrin and the crowd while sparing Christ's life. He decided to invoke the tradition of releasing one prisoner selected by the people during the Passover celebration. At that moment, a notorious criminal named Barabbas, who had been sentenced to death for his numerous murders and acts of rebellion against Roman authority, was held in confinement. When Pilate proposed the release of Jesus, the Sanhedrin's influence led the gathered crowd to cry out: Not him, but Barabbas (John 18:40)."}]}
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