And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.

And there was one called Barabbas, who was put in prison with some seditious men, who in the sedition had committed murder.

Now there was the person named Barabbas bound with those who had made insurrection with him, and that had committed murder in the insurrection.

and there was one named Barabbas, bound with those making insurrection with him, who had in the insurrection committed murder.

and at this time a man named Barabbas was in prison among the insurgents - persons who in the insurrection had committed murder.

And there was one named Barabbas, in prison with those who had gone against the government and in the fight had taken life.

But there was one called Barabbas, who had committed murder in the sedition, who was confined with those of the sedition.

A man called Barabbas was in prison, with the rioters who had committed murder during a riot.

And there was one named Barabbas,.... A prisoner of that name at Jerusalem;
which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him: he had been at the head of a seditious mob, and he and his accomplices were taken and put in prison:
who had committed murder in the insurrection; which may be connected either with Barabbas, and read in the singular number, as it is in the Vulgate Latin version, "he had committed"; or with the seditious persons he lay bound with, and be read in the plural number, "they had committed murder", as it is in the Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions; and so in the ancient copies; and the Ethiopic renders it, "he was bound with seditious persons and murderers"; though, no doubt, he was guilty of murder as well as they; and so Peter calls him a murderer, Acts 3:14. About this time murders were very frequently committed: the Jews say (r) that
"from the time that murderers increased, the slaying of the red heifer ceased; (the reason the commentators (s) give, is, because they were known who were accustomed to commit murder;) and that was from the time that Eleazar ben Dinai came, and Techinah ben Perishah he was called; and they called him again the son of a murderer;''
See Gill on Matthew 27:16.
(r) Misn. Sota, c. 9. sect. 9. Maimon. Hilch. Rotzeach. c. 9. sect. 12. (s) Jarchi & Bartienora in ib.

Insurrection - A crime which the Roman governors, and Pilate in particular, were more especially concerned and careful to punish.