Matthew 27:15

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

Matthew 27:21

27:21 The governor asked them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas!”

Matthew 28:14

28:14 If this matter is heard before the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”

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).

tn Grk “answering, the governor said to them.” This construction is somewhat redundant in English and has been simplified in the translation. Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.

tn Here ἐπί (epi) followed by the genitive = “before,” especially in the language of lawsuits (BDAG 363 s.v. 3).

tcαὐτόν (auton, “him”) is found after πείσομεν (peisomen, “we will satisfy”) in the majority of witnesses, though it seems to be motivated by a need for clarification and cannot therefore easily explain the rise of the shorter reading (which is found in א B Θ 33 pc). Nevertheless, English style requires the pronoun. NA27 includes the word in brackets, indicating doubts as to its authenticity.

tn Grk “and you will not have to be worried” = “we will keep you out of trouble.”