Barabbas is a fascinating biblical figure who appears in each of the four gospels during the trial of Jesus before his crucifixion. Though his role is relatively brief, it provides intriguing glimpses into the political and religious dynamics at play in Jerusalem leading up to Jesus’s death.
The name Barabbas means “son of the father” or “son of the teacher” in Aramaic. He is described as a notorious prisoner who had taken part in an insurrection in Jerusalem and committed murder (Mark 15:7, Luke 23:19). Barabbas was slated for crucifixion alongside other rebels who had stirred up trouble against the Roman authorities.
When Pontius Pilate presided over the trial of Jesus, it was customary during the Passover feast for the Roman governor to release one prisoner chosen by the crowd (Mark 15:6). Pilate offered the mob a choice between Barabbas and Jesus (Matthew 27:17). Though Jesus was innocent of any crime, the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be crucified (Matthew 27:20).
Pilate makes it clear he wants to release Jesus, whom he knows has been handed over out of envy (Matthew 27:18). But the crowd repeatedly demands, “Crucify him!” and asks that Barabbas be freed instead (Mark 15:11-14). Pilate finally relents and releases Barabbas, then hands Jesus over to be crucified.
This story raises several important questions: Why was the crowd so insistent on freeing Barabbas? Why were they so against Jesus and determined to see him crucified? What significance might Barabbas have in relation to Jesus?
Barabbas and the insurrection
The gospel writers seem to imply the crowd wanted Barabbas freed because he had taken part in an insurrection against the Roman authorities. Many Jews at the time resented Roman rule and longed to throw off the yoke of their oppressors. Zealot movements and violent uprisings were fairly common.
Barabbas was likely a revolutionary figure the people could identify with in their hatred of Rome. By contrast, Jesus disappointed their expectations of a military Messiah who would lead the Jews in a rebellion against foreign rule. So when given a choice, the people preferred to stand with Barabbas.
The rebellion Barabbas took part in may have been the one referred to in Mark 15:7 and Luke 23:19. Or it could also have been the insurrection of the Egyptian mentioned in Acts 21:38, when a false prophet led thousands up the Mount of Olives promising to overtake Jerusalem. Roman troops quickly crushed the revolt, but Barabbas may have escaped.
Though the gospel writers don’t provide details, Barabbas clearly had a history of violence against the occupying forces. His insurrectionist activities made him a natural leader and hero for the zealots, and many in the crowd likely aligned themselves with his political aspirations.
Why the crowd turned against Jesus
The crowd was fiercely loyal to Barabbas, but why were they so set against Jesus? Earlier in the week, on what we call Palm Sunday, crowds had hailed Jesus as the coming Messianic king (Matthew 21:8-9). Yet only days later this same populace demanded his death.
There are several factors that help explain this stunning reversal:
- Jesus failed to meet popular expectations of delivering Israel from Roman oppression. Many likely felt disillusioned and bitter after Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem didn’t spark immediate revolution.
- The chief priests and elders were jealous of Jesus’s popularity and teaching authority. They actively turned people against Jesus by painting him as dangerous and seditious (Mark 15:3, Luke 23:2).
- Fickle crowds are easily swayed. The fervent intensity of the chief priests combined with the crowd’s frustrations about Roman rule made them ripe for manipulation.
- As opposition mounted, former supporters distanced themselves from Jesus to avoid backlash. Groupthink took over and the crowd acted in irrational ways.
Caught up in the frenzy, the crowd lost sight of Jesus’s true identity. Their shouts of “Hosanna” on Sunday gave way to cries of “Crucify!” on Friday.
Contrast between Barabbas and Jesus
The differences between Barabbas and Jesus highlight a striking irony at the heart of this story:
- Barabbas was guilty, but Jesus was innocent. Barabbas deserved punishment for actual crimes, while Jesus was blameless (Luke 23:4, John 18:38).
- Barabbas took life, but Jesus offered life. As a murderer, Barabbas destroyed lives. But Jesus came to save lives and overcome death.
- Barabbas was a thief, but Jesus freely gave. Barabbas likely stole to fund his revolutionary activities. But Jesus spoke against stealing (Matthew 19:18) and gave freely of himself.
- Barabbas rebelled against Rome, but Jesus advocated peace. Barabbas wanted political liberation through force. Jesus offered spiritual liberation through sacrificial love.
By asking to release Barabbas and crucify Jesus, the people were displaying profound confusion about who represented the values of God’s kingdom. In this tragic miscarriage of justice, lawlessness was chosen over righteousness.
Prophetic significance
Beyond the irony, some Bible scholars see prophetic significance in Barabbas’s life and name. Just as his name means “son of the father,” some suggest he may represent the nation of Israel as God’s “chosen son.”
In this reading, Barabbas personifies Israel’s long history of rebellion against God’s ways. Though guilty, he is remarkably spared the due penalty for his crimes and is set free. Some see this as foreshadowing Israel’s future redemption despite the nation’s many transgressions.
Meanwhile, Jesus is handed over to death, bearing the wrath Israel deserves for its sin. As the true Son of the Father, Jesus pays the penalty on behalf of God’s wayward children. His sacrifice makes possible both Barabbas’s release and the future restoration of God’s people.
So in this scenario, Barabbas functions as a picture of Israel’s undeserved pardon from sin and death, made possible by Jesus’s willing substitution on the cross. However, not all agree this is the best way to interpret the Barabbas episode.
Later traditions about Barabbas
The biblical accounts tell us little about Barabbas’s life after his release. But some later traditions developed lively stories about his supposed interactions with Jesus:
- One medieval legend claimed Barabbas was a fellow prisoner who became a Christian convert after talking with Jesus overnight in jail. Jesus then supposedly died in his place on the cross.
- A version of this story appears in the Koran, where Jesus speaks to a criminal in prison who is later crucified instead of Jesus. Islamic teachings reject the crucifixion of Jesus.
- Some ancient apocryphal gospels say Barabbas was feuding with his father over control of the family’s assets. After being freed, he became sorry for his actions and a devoted follower of Jesus.
These embellished stories are not considered historically reliable. They do, however, provide intriguing “what ifs” about how Barabbas may have responded if he encountered the gracious love of Christ.
Lessons from Barabbas
What practical lessons and truths can we gain from studying the life of Barabbas?
- God can bring good even out of our sinful choices. Though undeserved, Barabbas was granted new life. His story reminds us of God’s mercy and sovereignty.
- We should be careful about compromising our integrity to fit in with the crowd. The people’s fickle rejection of Jesus is a warning.
- Jesus was willing to die even for those who rejected him, like Barabbas. This demonstrates Christ’s incredible love and grace.
- The injustice of Jesus’s trial and crucifixion fulfills Isaiah 53:3-10 and other prophecies about the suffering servant.
- We are all guilty like Barabbas, but Christ’s sacrifice makes it possible for us to go free. This is the Good News at the heart of the gospel!
Barabbas in biblical fiction
Because he appears only briefly in Scripture, Barabbas has captured the imagination of novelists and filmmakers seeking to flesh out his enigmatic character:
- In Lew Wallace’s classic 1880 novel Ben-Hur, Barabbas is portrayed as a Zealot who hates the Romans and unintentionally causes the paralyzation of Judah Ben-Hur.
- Fyodor Dostoevsky’s 1879 novel The Brothers Karamazov contains a chapter envisioning a conversation between Barabbas and Jesus in prison before the crucifixion.
- Barabbas plays major roles in several films about Christ’s passion, including The Robe (1953), Barabbas (1961), Jesus Christ Superstar (1973), and The Passion of the Christ (2004).
These creative efforts to read between the lines of Barabbas’s life speak to the provocative and mysterious nature of his brief appearance in Scripture.
Conclusion
The unusual story of Barabbas offers a window into the explosive political and religious tensions in 1st century Jerusalem. It also reveals timeless truths about the dangerous fickleness of crowds and corruption of human institutions.
Most importantly, Barabbas provides a vivid picture of the grace shown by Christ as he gave his life for sinners. Though the biblical account leaves many questions unanswered, Barabbas serves as an instrument that ultimately points us to the mercy and love revealed on the cross.
