Lord’s Library editors offer a Luke 23:17 meaning with commentary on why the verse is missing from new Bible versions, for your edification.
When trying to understand the meaning of Luke 23:17 and see why it’s missing in modern versions, first see the verse: “(For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)” In the King James Bible, this verse appears as part of the narrative where Pontius Pilate, seeking a way to release Jesus, reminds the crowd that it was customary to free a prisoner during the Passover feast.
This verse explains the political nature that undergirds the choice given to the people between Jesus and Barabbas. Without Luke 23:17, the account becomes confusing and appears to jump without explanation. Yet this verse is entirely missing from most modern Bible versions, including the ESV, NIV, and others, often with a marginal note stating: “Some manuscripts include verse 17.”
That disclaimer masks the removal of a clarifying and contextually necessary verse from the inspired Word of God based on textual theory.
Luke 23:17 Missing Meaning
Luke 23:17 is doctrinally sound and narratively important. Its parallel can be found in Matthew 27:15, Mark 15:6, and John 18:39:
- Matthew 27:15: “Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.”
- Mark 15:6: “Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.”
- John 18:39: “But 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?”
All of those passages show that Pilate had a custom of releasing a prisoner at the Passover. So why eliminate it in Luke? The modern textual critics argue that the verse is not present in a small handful of manuscripts, particularly Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus. These two 4th-century Alexandrian manuscripts form the foundation of the modern critical text (Nestle-Aland/UBS), which underlies nearly all modern translations.
Those stand in stark contrast to the vast majority of Greek manuscripts (Byzantine tradition), which do include Luke 23:17. The King James Bible, which is based on the Textus Receptus and draws from this majority tradition, retains the verse.
This omission creates confusion in the flow of the text. In Luke 23:16, Pilate says he will chastise and release Jesus: “I will therefore chastise him, and release him.” Then in verse 18, the crowd suddenly demands Barabbas be released instead, with no clear reason given in the modern versions: “And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:”
Without verse 17, the context for the crowd’s demand is gone. It appears irrational unless you know about the Passover custom—which modern editors have removed. So the removal of this verse not only deletes a legitimate explanation, it undermines the coherence of the narrative. That alone should disqualify its omission in our view.
In this way, Luke 23:17 is not a parenthesis but a key that unlocks the crowd’s behavior and the political machinations of Pilate. Without it, the people’s demand for Barabbas seems arbitrary; with it, the full picture of manipulation and rejection comes into focus.
Lord's Library is a Christian resource hub. Our editors use a variety of internet research methods like search engines, audio and video, AI, consultations with ministry leaders in the field, and more. Lord's Library should never be a substitute for reading your Bible daily as the Scriptures are to be our final authority on all matters. Lord's Library participates in affiliate programs. We may make a small commission from products purchased through this resource.
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