Matthew 27:15

27:15 During the feast the governor was accustomed to release one prisoner to the crowd, ¹  whomever they wanted.

Mark 15:6

Jesus and Barabbas

15:6 During the feast it was customary to release one prisoner to the people, ²  whomever they requested.

John 18:39

18:39 But it is your custom that I release one prisoner ³  for you at the Passover. ⁴  So do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews?”

[27:15]  ¹ sn The custom of Pilate to release one prisoner is unknown outside the gospels in Jewish writings, but it was a Roman custom at the time and thus probably used in Palestine as well (cf. Matt 27:15; John 18:39).

[15:6]  ² tn Grk “them”; the referent (the people) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[18:39]  ³ tn The word “prisoner” is not in the Greek text but is implied.

[18:39]  ⁴ sn Pilate then offered to release Jesus, reminding the Jewish authorities that they had a custom that he release one prisoner for them at the Passover. There is no extra-biblical evidence alluding to the practice. It is, however, mentioned in Matthew and Mark, described either as a practice of Pilate (Mark 15:6) or of the Roman governor (Matt 27:15). These references may explain the lack of extra-biblical attestation: The custom to which Pilate refers here (18:39) is not a permanent one acknowledged by all the Roman governors, but one peculiar to Pilate as a means of appeasement, meant to better relations with his subjects. Such a limited meaning is certainly possible and consistent with the statement here.