Luke 23:18
What does Luke 23:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 23:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 23:18 means
The crowd rejects Jesus and demands Barabbas instead. “Away with this man” is a chilling dismissal of the One who brought life and truth. By asking for Barabbas’s release, they prefer a known rebel to the righteous King. This moment starkly portrays substitution: the guilty is set free while the innocent is delivered to death. It reflects human blindness and the mystery of God’s mercy. Jesus will die in the place of sinners; here, that reality is acted out in history, even as those involved intend only injustice. Their corporate cry carries the case beyond law into mob rule.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But they cried out all together, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:—
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But they cried out all together, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:—
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But with loud voices they said all together, Put this man to death, and make Barabbas free.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and they cried out--the whole multitude--saying, `Away with this one, and release to us Barabbas,'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But the whole multitude together cried out, saying: Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But they cried out in a mass saying, Away with this [man] and release Barabbas to us;
Context
After Pilate proposes release, the unified shout of the people overturns his plan. Luke identifies by name the man they want instead: Barabbas. The narrative now spells out why this choice is so shocking—Barabbas is imprisoned for insurrection and murder. The contrast between him and Jesus intensifies the tragedy and the irony. Immediately following, Pilate will try again to secure Jesus’ release, but the crowd’s demand for crucifixion will only grow louder, steering the proceedings toward the Roman execution stake.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 3:14
But ye denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted unto you,
- John 18:39
But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
- Acts 21:36
for the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, Away with him.
- John 19:15
They therefore cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him! Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Cæsar.
- Mark 15:6
Now at the feast he used to release unto them one prisoner, whom they asked of him.
- Acts 22:22
And they gave him audience unto this word; and they lifted up their voice, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.
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