But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
All Commentaries on Matthew 27:20 Go To Matthew 27
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
That they should ask Barabbas: All, therefore, that resemble the Jews in either theory or practice, desire to have Barabbas loosed to them; all, therefore, that seek after iniquity, ask for Barabbas, and put Jesus away. But all who walk in the paths of virtue, ask for Jesus, and destroy Barabbas. Pilate wishing on this occasion to show the Jews the enormity of their crime, again puts the question, which will you have of the two? And again, What shall I do with Jesus, who is called Christ? But, they being enraged that Pilate should declare Jesus to be the Christ, all in the frantic fury exclaimed, Let him be crucified. (Origen)
