^18:39But it is your custom that I release one prisoner¹¹² for you at the Passover.¹¹³ So do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews?” ^18:40Then they shouted back,¹¹⁴ “Not this man,¹¹⁵ but Barabbas!”¹¹⁶ (Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.¹¹⁷)¹¹⁸

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Footnotes

112 The word “prisoner” is not in the Greek text but is implied.
113 Pilate then offered to release Jesus, reminding the Jewish authorities that they had a custom that he release one prisoner for them at the Passover. There is no extra-biblical evidence alluding to the practice. It is, however, mentioned in Matthew and Mark, described either as a practice of Pilate (Mark 15:6) or of the Roman governor (Matt 27:15). These references may explain the lack of extra-biblical attestation: The custom to which Pilate refers here (18:39) is not a permanent one acknowledged by all the Roman governors, but one peculiar to Pilate as a means of appeasement, meant to better relations with his subjects. Such a limited meaning is certainly possible and consistent with the statement here.
114 Or “they shouted again,” or “they shouted in turn.” On the difficulty of translating πάλιν (palin) see 5. It is simplest in the context of John’s Gospel to understand the phrase to mean “they shouted back” as a reply to Pilate’s question.
115 Grk “this one.”
116 The name Barabbas in Aramaic means “son of abba,” that is, “son of the father,” and presumably the man in question had another name (it may also have been Jesus, according to the textual variant in Matt 27:16, although this is uncertain). For the author this name held ironic significance: The crowd was asking for the release of a man called Barabbas, “son of the father,” while Jesus, who was truly the Son of the Father, was condemned to die instead.
117 Or “robber.” It is possible that Barabbas was merely a robber or highwayman, but more likely, given the use of the term ληστής (lēstēs) in Josephus and other early sources, that he was a guerrilla warrior or revolutionary leader. See both R. E. Brown (John [], 2:) and K. H. Rengstorf ( 4:258) for more information. The word λῃστής was used a number of times by Josephus ( 2.13.2–3 [2.253–254]) to describe the revolutionaries or guerrilla fighters who, from mixed motives of nationalism and greed, kept the rural districts of Judea in constant turmoil.
118 This is a parenthetical note by the author.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?”

They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

You have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover. So, do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?”

They shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.

NLTNew Living Translation

But you have a custom of asking me to release one prisoner each year at Passover. Would you like me to release this ‘King of the Jews’?”

But they shouted back, “No! Not this man. We want Barabbas!” (Barabbas was a revolutionary.)

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

But it is your custom that I release for you one prisoner at the Passover. So do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews?” Then they shouted again, saying, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” (Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.)

KJV 1900King James Version

But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

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