when they were gathered together] To wit, when the multitude had first desired a prisoner to be delivered to them, Mark 15:8. Barabbas, or Jesus] It appears that Pilate was very willing to save Jesus, in that he set so vile a man against him. Very likely it is, he could have named some other prisoner, who had done some lighter offence: but he names Barabbas, in hope the people would not have chosen him, but Christ. called Christ] By many so accounted.