(For of necessity he must release one to them at the feast.)
(For of necessity he must release one to them at the feast.)
Now he must needs release unto them at the feast one prisoner.
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(For of necessity he must release one to them at the feast.)
Now he had to release one prisoner to them at the feast.
For of necessity he must release one - That is, he was under the necessity of releasing one at this feast. The custom, however it originated, had now been so completely established that Pilate was obliged to attend to it. See on Matthew 27:15 (note).
See the notes at Matthew 27:15.