BibleWord.ai› Bible› John› Chapter 18› Verse 40

John 18:40

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 18:40 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “They cried out therefore again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.)” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

They cried out therefore again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.)
John 18:40 — American Standard Version

Context — John 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end have I been born, and to this end am I come into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
38Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find no crime in him.
39But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
40They cried out therefore again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.)
← John 18:39John 19:1 →
← Full Chapter 18 John Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then cried they all again, etc.] For it seems that Pilate had made this proposal once before, and that this was the second time, though not mentioned; yet some copies, and the Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions, leave out the word “again”: they all, priests and people, in a very clamorous manner, cried out as one man, with one united voice, all at once; saying, not this man, but Barabbas; now Barabbas was a robber; who was an emblem of God’s elect in a state of nature, released and set free when Christ was condemned. These, as he, many of them at least, are notorious sinners, the chief of sinners, robbers and murderers; who have robbed God of his glory, and destroyed themselves;…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See the notes at Matthew 27:15-21. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on John 18". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/john-18.html. 1870. StudyLight.org © 2001-2026 Powered by Lightspeed Technology”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“18:40 Jesus was no threat to Rome, but Barabbas was a revolutionary, a violent man who took part in political uprisings (see Luke 23:19), with a proven capacity to challenge the Roman military occupation of Israel.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Mat 27:16, Mat 27:26; Mar 15:7, Mar 15:15; Luk 23:18, Luk 23:19, Luk 23:25; Act 3:13, Act 3:14 Next: John Chapter 19”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read John 18 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification