Luke 23:19 Meaning and Explanation
“(Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Luke identifies Barabbas: a man imprisoned for sedition in the city and for murder.
What Does Luke 23:19 Mean?
The parenthesis lets the reader weigh the crowd's choice. Barabbas is actually guilty of the precise charge — stirring revolt — that the accusers could not prove against Jesus, and of murder besides.
The crowd prefers a man of violence to the Prince of Peace. Luke states it without comment, and the quiet facts carry their own sorrow: given the choice, the city that day chose the sword over the Savior. Yet even that choice God bent toward salvation, for the cross Barabbas escaped became the mercy of the world.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 23:19
What does Luke 23:19 mean?
Luke identifies Barabbas: a man imprisoned for sedition in the city and for murder.