Acts 25:9

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

asking him to do them a favor against Paul, that he might summon him to Jerusalem. They were preparing an ambush along the road to kill him.

When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter too, during the days of Unleavened Bread.

After two years had passed, Felix received a successor, Porcius Festus, and because he wished to do a favor for the Jews, Felix left Paul in prison.

Then, willing to gratify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. And after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified.

At the festival the governor’s custom was to release to the crowd a prisoner they wanted.

At the festival it was Pilate’s custom to release for the people a prisoner they requested.