(6) Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. (7) And there was one named. Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. (8) And the multitude crying aloud, began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. (9) But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the king of the Jews? (10) For he knew that the chief priests had de livered him for envy. (11) But the chief priests moved the people that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. (12) And Pilate answered, and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? (13) And they cried out again, Crucify him. (14) Then Pilate said unto them, Why what evil hath he done? and they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.
Here is a beautiful meaning also, in allusion to the great purposes of redemption. The lot was to fall on Jonah, an eminent type of CHRIST, and he the only Israelite at that time in the ship, from Joppa. Jonah 1:7. The lot for the Scape Goat, was also determined the same way. Leviticus 16:8. And JESUS being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of GOD, shall be the one, on whom the whole voice of the people shall decide. Revelation 13:8. What striking allusions of a mystical nature are there in all these things!