Matthew 27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
This was essentially a pardon that was granted to a notorious criminal, on no other grounds than Jesus was the object of their ire. Thus, to secure Christ’s death, Pilate pardoned a robber who had shown no remorse, nor repentance, and yet he let him go free, while at the same time he condemned an innocent Man to death. This is the sort of abuse The Lord is speaking to us about, for whenever, mortal man sits in God’s seat, by determining the conditions upon which pardon is to be granted, you will inevitably have corruption.
John 19:12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar…. It didn’t happen in a vacuum either, because political pressure was brought into the mix, as an accessory to the illegal pardon. History also bears witness of how pardon devolves in a pay to play system, when persons sit in God’s seat and alter or reverse the conditions for pardon.
There’s a song that goes like this: If salvation was a thing that money could buy, praise you The Lord. The rich would live, and the poor would die, praise you the Lord. This is how that song played out during the darkest ages of earth’s history. And according to the prophet Isaiah, even darker days are ahead for the people of the world…. Matthew 27:13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.
Matthew 27:16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!