Matthew 27:16

27:16 At that time they had in custody a notorious prisoner named Jesus ¹  Barabbas.

Luke 23:18-19

23:18 But they all shouted out together, ²  “Take this man ³  away! Release Barabbas for us!” 23:19 (This ⁴  was a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection ⁵  started in the city, and for murder.) ⁶ 

Luke 23:25

23:25 He released the man they asked for, who had been thrown in prison for insurrection and murder. But he handed Jesus over ⁷  to their will. ⁸ 

[27:16]  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 sy^s), 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).

[23:18]  ² tn Grk “together, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant and has not been translated here.

[23:18]  ³ tn Grk “this one.” The reference to Jesus as “this man” is pejorative in this context.

[23:19]  ⁴ tn Grk “who” (a continuation of the previous sentence).

[23:19]  ⁵ sn Ironically, what Jesus was alleged to have done, started an insurrection, this man really did.

[23:19]  ⁶ sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.

[23:25]  ⁷ tn Or “delivered up.”

[23:25]  ⁸ 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.