Matthew 27:26 Meaning and Explanation
“Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Pilate frees Barabbas, has Jesus scourged, and hands Him over for crucifixion.
What Does Matthew 27:26 Mean?
Pilate carries out the crowd's will: Barabbas is set free, and Jesus is scourged, a brutal Roman flogging, before being delivered up to be crucified. The guilty man goes home; the innocent is led to the cross.
The exchange is complete. Barabbas walks away unbound while Jesus bears the lash meant for the condemned. In this stark swap the gospel is foreshadowed: the guilty released, the sinless punished in his place. The scourging that tears the Savior's body is borne for the healing of others, the price of a freedom no prisoner could earn for himself.
Matthew 27:26 in the Original Language
phragelloo (φραγελλόω), 'scourged' -- to flog severely with a Roman whip, a punishment preceding crucifixion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 27:26
What does Matthew 27:26 mean?
Pilate frees Barabbas, has Jesus scourged, and hands Him over for crucifixion.