Now at the Passover feast the governor had a custom to release for the people one prisoner, whomever they wanted.
This verse highlights the political custom by which Pilate tried to keep peace among the Jews by releasing, at the Passover feast, one condemned man according to the will of the people. This custom had begun as a sign of mercy during the feast, but in this case it becomes a tragic symbol: the people are given the opportunity to choose between life and death, yet they will soon choose to release a murderer, rejecting the Lord of Life. This verse prepares the harsh contrast between human injustice and divine mercy.