23:18 But they all shouted out together, 8 “Take this man 9 away! Release Barabbas for us!” 23:19 (This 10 was a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection 11 started in the city, and for murder.) 12
1 tc Although the external evidence for the inclusion of “Jesus” before “Barabbas” (in vv. 16 and 17) is rather sparse, being restricted virtually to the Caesarean text (Θ Ë1 700* pc sys), the omission of the Lord’s name in apposition to “Barabbas” is such a strongly motivated reading that it can hardly be original. There is no good explanation for a scribe unintentionally adding ᾿Ιησοῦν (Ihsoun) before Βαραββᾶν (Barabban), especially since Barabbas is mentioned first in each verse (thus dittography is ruled out). Further, the addition of τὸν λεγόμενον Χριστόν (ton legomenon Criston, “who is called Christ”) to ᾿Ιησοῦν in v. 17 makes better sense if Barabbas is also called “Jesus” (otherwise, a mere “Jesus” would have been a sufficient appellation to distinguish the two).
2 tn The Greek term φραγελλόω (fragellow) refers to flogging. BDAG 1064 s.v. states, “flog, scourge, a punishment inflicted on slaves and provincials after a sentence of death had been pronounced on them. So in the case of Jesus before the crucifixion…Mt 27:26; Mk 15:15.”
3 tn Or “delivered him up.”
4 sn See the note on crucified in 20:19.
5 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
6 tn The Greek term φραγελλόω (fragellow) refers to flogging. BDAG 1064 s.v. states, “flog, scourge, a punishment inflicted on slaves and provincials after a sentence of death had been pronounced on them. So in the case of Jesus before the crucifixion…Mt 27:26; Mk 15:15.”
7 tn Or “delivered him up.”
8 tn Grk “together, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant and has not been translated here.
9 tn Grk “this one.” The reference to Jesus as “this man” is pejorative in this context.
10 tn Grk “who” (a continuation of the previous sentence).
11 sn Ironically, what Jesus was alleged to have done, started an insurrection, this man really did.
12 sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.
13 tn Or “delivered up.”
14 sn He handed Jesus over to their will. Here is where Luke places the major blame for Jesus’ death. It lies with the Jewish nation, especially the leadership, though in Acts 4:24-27 he will bring in the opposition of Herod, Pilate, and all people.
15 tc ‡ The repetition of ὁ θεός (Jo qeos, “God”) before the names of Isaac and Jacob is found in Ì74 א C (A D without article) 36 104 1175 pc lat. The omission of the second and third ὁ θεός is supported by B E Ψ 33 1739 Ï pc. The other time that Exod 3:6 is quoted in Acts (7:32) the best witnesses also lack the repeated ὁ θεός, but the three other times this OT passage is quoted in the NT the full form, with the thrice-mentioned θεός, is used (Matt 22:32; Mark 12:26; Luke 20:37). Scribes would be prone to conform the wording here to the LXX; the longer reading is thus most likely not authentic. NA27 has the words in brackets, indicating doubts as to their authenticity.
16 tn Or “ancestors”; Grk “fathers.”
17 sn Has glorified. Jesus is alive, raised and active, as the healing illustrates so dramatically how God honors him.
18 sn His servant. The term servant has messianic connotations given the context of the promise, the note of suffering, and the titles and functions noted in vv. 14-15.
19 tn Or “denied,” “disowned.”
20 tn This genitive absolute construction could be understood as temporal (“when he had decided”) or concessive (“although he had decided”).
21 tn Or “denied,” “disowned.”