The harmony of the Gospels in the holy history of the humiliation and sufferings…

1. Pilate considered that he must (either by public Articles, or by custom) deliver unto the people one prisoner, whom they should choose, at the Feast of the Passover, and the people began to call upon him for the performance of it, Mar. 15.8. The multitude began to cry aloud that he would do as ever he had done he took therefore that opportunity to offer unto them, to remit unto them Jesus Mar. 15.9.10. Will you that I release unto you the King of the Jews; for he knew that for envy the high Priests had delivered him. And Pilate used that word to the people, the King of the Jews, as an argument persuasive to the people, as appears by his after arguing upon that point.

1. Pilate considered that he must (either by publick Articles, or by custom) deliver unto the people one prisoner, whom they should chuse, at the Feast of the Passover, and the people began to call upon him for the performance of it, Mar. 15.8. The multitude began to cry aloud that he would doe as ever he had done he took therefore that opportunity to offer unto them, to remit unto them Jesus Mar. 15.9.10. Will you that I release unto you the King of the Iews; for he knew that for envy the high Priests had delivered him. And Pilate used that word to the people, the King of the Jews, as an argument perswasive to the people, as appears by his after arguing upon that point.

2. Pilate contrived to give them their choice of one, but so as that they should be forced to choose Jesus, and so deliver him by their own act. Pilate would have done them good, but they would not. The way that he contrived was, to straiten them in their liberty of choosing among all the prisoners; he would give them their choice but of two, and they were Jesus and Barabbas. Now this Barabbas was a Mutineer, a Robber, a Murderer,