Definition: And [so] Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged [him], to be crucified.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down that verse together. It’s a really important one in the Bible and it’s about a pivotal moment! Here's what it means in simple terms: Basically, this verse tells us that after Jesus was put to death by crucifixion, Pilate (the Roman governor) allowed him to be crucified. Let’s unpack it further: “And [so]” : This is a little tricky. It's not saying exactly what happened. It means “and then” or “as a result.” It's emphasizing that this was a consequence of something else. “Pilate, willing to content the people” : This is key. Pilate wasn’t just doing it because he wanted to. He was essentially being passive in allowing Jesus to die. It suggests he was following orders from Rome and prioritizing the Roman government's interests over Jesus’s life. “Released Barabbas unto them” : Barabbas was a man who had been wrongly accused and executed by the crowd. Pilate let him go free. “delivered Jesus, when he had scourged [him]” : This is where it gets more significant. “Scourged” means he’d already nailed Jesus to the cross. Pilate still allowed Jesus to be crucified. It was a deliberate choice – he let him die even after the punishment was already in place. So, what's the big takeaway? This verse shows that Pilate wasn't acting out of compassion or concern for Jesus. He was prioritizing Roman authority and political considerations over his own role in delivering Jesus to death. It’s a stark example of power being used to control people rather than to uphold justice. Why is this important? It’s considered one of the most controversial parts of the Bible because it highlights a potential conflict between Jewish law and Roman law. It raises questions about whether Pilate was truly acting in accordance with God's will, or simply following orders. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this event in more detail (like what happened before and after)? Talk about the historical significance of this moment?