The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (7) - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2026

Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" They said, "Barabbas!" Pilate said to them, "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said to him, "Let Him be crucified!"
Matthew 27:15-17, 21-22

The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (7)
We are here at a decisive point in the trial of our Lord Jesus. The Gospel of Matthew, which presents Him as Israel's promised King, gives us the most details on this part of His trial. Here too we see a picture of the choice the world still faces today.

Mark 15:7 tells us who Barabbas was: "one named Barabbas"—the name means son of the father—"who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion." Barabbas was evidently the most notorious prisoner Pilate had in custody, a murderer and rebel—quite the opposite of the Giver of life, who walked in quiet submission to God His Father. Why did the people insist on Barabbas being freed and Jesus being crucified? reads, "The chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus"!

Feeling his efforts were futile, that he would soon face a riot, Pilate "took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, ‘I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.'" The dreadful answer resounding back to him from all the people was, "His blood be on us and on our children" (vv. 24-25). How terribly God's earthly people have suffered during the centuries that have followed! Nor does God hold Pilate innocent!

All this hatred our Savior endured silently without complaint: "As a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth," the prophet had foretold (Isa. 53:7). Let us worship and adore Him!

Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.