What Does Matthew 27:21 Mean in the King James?

The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.

Matthew 27:21 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The crowd chooses Barabbas (⁨בר אבא⁩, bar Abba, “son of the father”) for release, so the question becomes a mirror of which nature it welcomes.

THE MEANING

The question stands before you as a live choice: the crowd names Barabbas (⁨בר אבא⁩, bar Abba, “son of the father”) to be released. Its answer shows how a demand for freedom can reveal which nature a crowd is prepared to welcome.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The crowd’s choice does not prove its choice is just; here, the request for release exposes the preference being made.

THE ROOT

ἀπολύσω

apolysō

GROWS FROM

λύω

lyō

To loosen, untie, release.

The underlying verb ⁨λύω⁩ (lyō, “loosen”) holds the tactile image of untying someone free. The answer turns that act of release into a public preference.

ALSO GROWS

lysis: A loosening or release.

λύσις

This branch preserves the image of release as loosening, not merely ending a formal obligation.

lytron: A ransom; a price paid to free someone.

λύτρον

This related word joins release to the means of freeing someone, sharpening the weight of the freedom being requested here.

THE PATTERN

When public preference governs judgment, release can be requested for the wicked while the just are refused.

How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

Psalm 82:2 · KJVThe verse names public judgment bending toward the wicked, the same distortion revealed by the crowd’s answer.

He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

Proverbs 17:15 · KJVIt describes the reversal at work when the wicked are preferred and the just are rejected.

But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

Acts 3:14 · KJVIt states the choice plainly: the Holy One is refused while a murderer is requested.

THE THREAD

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?

John 18:39 · KJV

John repeats the governor’s release question and names the alternative left implicit here: Jesus, the King of the Jews. The shared verb ⁨ἀπολύω⁩ (apolýō, “release”) makes the choice unmistakable: the same public act frees Barabbas while refusing Jesus.

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