ris3n's Apologetics Codex

Passage

Matthew 27.22-25

Book: Matthew · ASV / WEB / KJV / YLT

Immediate context (±2 verses)

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ASV (ASV)

"20. Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21. But the governor answered and said unto them, Which of the two will ye that I release unto you? And they said, Barabbas."

"22. Pilate saith unto them, What then shall I do unto Jesus who is called Christ? They all say, Let him be crucified. 23. And he said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out exceedingly, saying, Let him be crucified. 24. So when Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing, but rather that a tumult was arising, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man; see ye to it. 25. And all the people answered and said, His blood be on us, and on our children."

"26. Then released he unto them Barabbas; but Jesus he scourged and delivered to be crucified. 27. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium, and gathered unto him the whole band." (Matthew 27:20-27, ASV)

WEB (WEB)

"20. Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21. But the governor answered them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!”"

"22. Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do to Jesus, who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let him be crucified!” 23. But the governor said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they cried out exceedingly, saying, “Let him be crucified!” 24. So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.” 25. All the people answered, “May his blood be on us, and on our children!”"

"26. Then he released to them Barabbas, but Jesus he flogged and delivered to be crucified. 27. Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, and gathered the whole garrison together against him." (Matthew 27:20-27, WEB)

KJV (KJV)

"20. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas."

"22. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. 23. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. 24. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. 25. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children."

"26. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. 27. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. common hall: or, governor's house" (Matthew 27:20-27, KJV)

YLT (YLT)

"20. And the chief priests and the elders did persuade the multitudes that they might ask for themselves Barabbas, and might destroy Jesus; 21. and the governor answering said to them, 'Which of the two will ye [that] I shall release to you?' And they said, 'Barabbas.'"

"22. Pilate saith to them, 'What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?' They all say to him, 'Let be crucified!' 23. And the governor said, 'Why, what evil did he?' and they were crying out the more, saying, 'Let be crucified.' 24. And Pilate having seen that it profiteth nothing, but rather a tumult is made, having taken water, he did wash the hands before the multitude, saying, 'I am innocent from the blood of this righteous one; ye, ye shall see;' 25. and all the people answering said, 'His blood [is] upon us, and upon our children!'"

"26. Then did he release to them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered [him] up that he may be crucified; 27. then the soldiers of the governor having taken Jesus to the Praetorium, did gather to him all the band;" (Matthew 27:20-27, YLT)

Setting

  • Speaker: Matthew (traditionally) the tax-collector-apostle / narrator + Jesus's direct teaching
  • Audience: Jewish-Christian audience (heavy OT-fulfillment emphasis)
  • Location: first-century Palestine (events); possibly Antioch (composition)
  • Time period: events c. 4 BC, AD 30/33; composed c. AD 60-80

Theological reading

Key words

Quoted in

Why these four translations

ris3n chose ASV, WEB, KJV, and YLT for two reasons together. They are the most literal English translations available (formal-equivalence: word-for-word renderings that preserve the Hebrew and Greek grammar rather than smoothing it into modern dynamic-equivalence idiom). And they are in the public domain in the United States, which means fair-use quotation at any length requires no publisher license. Modern licensed translations (NASB95, ESV, NIV) restrict volume of quotation under their copyright terms, so they are not used at stub-level coverage here. NASB95 appears only on hand-curated rich passage hubs under Lockman Foundation's fair-use allowance.

The four:

  • ASV (American Standard Version, 1901). The basis of the modern critical-text English tradition.
  • WEB (World English Bible, contemporary). Public-domain revision in the ASV line, in current English.
  • KJV (King James Version, 1611). Reformation-era, Textus Receptus base.
  • YLT (Young's Literal Translation, Robert Young, 1862). Hyper-literal preservation of Hebrew and Greek grammar; useful for word-study work even where English reads stiff.

See Bibles for the full per-translation history, translators, textual basis, strengths, and weaknesses.