The Shadow of Nazareth Jesus. Both Barrabas and Jesus are sentenced to die by crucifixion, but Jewish custom allows the release of a prisoner on the day of the Passover feast. Pontius Pilate, the Prefect of the Roman province of Judaea, has the authority to decide whether to free Barabbas or Jesus in honor of the Passover. However, Pilate is unwilling to make the decision himself, so he lets a crowd that has gathered before him choose who is to live. The crowd chooses Barabbas, who is set free, and Jesus, who is innocent of any wrongdoing, dies on the cross. Following the crucifixion,
Matthew 27:3 ending its meeting and the leaders have conveyed Jesus to Pontius Pilate. It is thus possible that Judas' reversal is some time after the initial trial. By , the end of this Judas narrative, it is clear that the time being discussed is after the crucifixion. Despite the translation used by the King James Version, the author of Matthew does not have Judas repent, as Peter did in Matthew 26:75. Rather he feels remorse and changes his mind. This is important to Christian theology, as the truly repentant are expected to be forgiven, but Christian tradition has always had Judas