New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 27:26

The Crucifixion

So Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified. Matthew 27:26 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Matthew 27:26, in plain English

So Pilate releases Barabbas. He has Jesus flogged, then hands Him over to be crucified.

Why it's here

Roman flogging was brutal beyond description — a whip embedded with metal and bone fragments that tore flesh to ribbons. And this was before the crucifixion even began.

Who's speaking

The narrator records the sentence being carried out in devastating brevity.

Where it sits in the story

The criminal goes free. The innocent One is beaten nearly to death and then handed over for execution. Every word of this sentence is soaked in injustice.

A Closer Look

The scholar's commentary

Pilate releases Barabbas, has Jesus flogged (phragellosas — the severe Roman flagellation), and delivers Him over (paredoken) for crucifixion.

Language and setting

Roman flagellation (flagellum) used a multi-tailed whip embedded with bone and metal fragments, often so severe that prisoners died from the scourging alone. It preceded crucifixion as standard practice.

Voice

The narrator records Pilate's final judicial actions.

Significance

The guilty man walks free; the innocent man is scourged and sentenced to die. The inversion of justice is now complete.

In context

Matthew 27:24–28

24When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”

25All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”

26So Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.

27Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company around Him.

28They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.

Read all of Matthew 27 — The climax of the story. Every thread — sacrifice, covenant, prophecy, promise — converges at a cross outside Jerusalem.

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