18:39a

But it is your custom that I release to you one prisoner at the Passover: At that time there was a custom that each year Pilate freed one Jewish prisoner at Passover. This was his way to please the Jews and help them to celebrate their holy day.

But it is your custom: The clause it is your custom is more literally “There is a custom for/to you.” The custom was Pilate’s custom for the benefit of the Jews. Here is another way to translate this clause:

And because I usually free a prisoner for you at Passover…

your: This pronoun is plural and refers to the Jews in general.

I release to you one prisoner: The phrase release…one prisoner means “to free one person who is in prison.”

to you: The phrase to you means “for your benefit.” The pronoun you is plural and refers to the Jews in general.

at the Passover: Pilate offered to free one person from prison in order to make the Passover season more joyful for the Jews. It is good to use an expression that will help your readers understand that Passover was a Jewish celebration. For example:

at Passover time/season
-or-
during your Passover ⌊celebrations⌋

Passover: Passover was a Jewish feast day. At this feast the Jews remembered how God saved them from being slaves in Egypt long ago. At that time, God “passed over” their homes and none of them died. See the note at 18:28f, and see how you translated the word there.

18:39b

So then, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?: This is a real question. It is also a suggestion. Pilate hoped that the answer would be “yes.” He wanted the crowd to ask him to release Jesus.

to you: The pronoun you is plural and refers to the Jewish leaders that were there (see 18:38b).

the King of the Jews: This title refers to Jesus. It is the same title as in 18:33. In this context, however, Pilate was talking to the Jews themselves. So it may be natural to use a second person pronoun. For example:

your (plur.) King
-or-
the King of you (plur.) Jewish people

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