A man named Barabbas was in prison with some others who had committed murder in a rebellion against Rome.
He released the man they asked for, the one who had been thrown in prison for murder and for leading a revolt against the authorities. But he handed Jesus over to them so they could do what they wanted with him.
At that time there was a notorious prisoner named Jesus Barabbas.
It was his usual practice to let one prisoner go free at the Passover Feast. The people could choose the one they wanted.
The crowd came up and asked Pilate to release a prisoner for them as usual.