Luke 23:17

(For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.) Luke 23:17.

The time honoured Authorised Version (KJV1611) based on the Received Text (to the best of my knowledge) is the only translation that contains this verse without any footnote being required. If Luke's were the only Gospel that contained the account of Barabbas the context with verse 17 omitted would make no sense whatsoever. Without verse 17 it reads thus (verses 16-19):

I will therefore chastise Him, and release Him. And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)

Whyever ask for Barabbas to be released? What bearing has this man to do with the narrative? It is obvious that it can only be explained by the so-called 'missing' verse which informs us that it was a custom to release a prisoner at the feast time; one no doubt popular with the people.

The vast majority of all modern translations either have a footnote appended to Luke 23:17 with an explanation or ignore the verse altogether, as the popular ESV (English Standard Version) does.

For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89.