The story of Barabbas is a significant episode in the Passion narrative of Jesus Christ, appearing in all four canonical Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The account of Barabbas serves to highlight the injustice of Jesus' trial and the fickleness of the crowd, as well as the fulfillment of Jesus' role as the sacrificial Lamb. Each Gospel presents the story with its own nuances, contributing to a fuller understanding of this pivotal moment.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Barabbas is introduced during the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate. The custom of releasing a prisoner during the Passover festival is mentioned, and Pilate offers the crowd a choice between Jesus and Barabbas. The people, influenced by the chief priests and elders, choose Barabbas to be released. Matthew 27:15-26 (ESV) recounts:
"Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, 'Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?' For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, 'Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.' Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them, 'Which of the two do you want me to release for you?' And they said, 'Barabbas.' Pilate said to them, 'Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?' They all said, 'Let him be crucified!' And he said, 'Why, what evil has he done?' But they shouted all the more, 'Let him be crucified!' So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, 'I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.' And all the people answered, 'His blood be on us and on our children!' Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified."
In Mark's Gospel, the narrative is similar but emphasizes Barabbas' involvement in a rebellion and murder. Mark 15:6-15 (ESV) states:
"Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. And he answered them, saying, 'Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?' For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. And Pilate again said to them, 'Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?' And they cried out again, 'Crucify him.' And Pilate said to them, 'Why, what evil has he done?' But they shouted all the more, 'Crucify him.' So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified."
The Gospel of Luke provides additional context, mentioning that both Herod and Pilate found no guilt in Jesus deserving death. Luke 23:13-25 (ESV) describes:
"Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, 'You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. I will therefore punish and release him.' But they all cried out together, 'Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas'—a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, 'Crucify, crucify him!' A third time he said to them, 'Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.' But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will."
John's Gospel also includes the account of Barabbas, emphasizing the political tension and Pilate's struggle to appease the crowd. John 18:38-40 (ESV) records:
"Pilate said to him, 'What is truth?' After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, 'I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?' They cried out again, 'Not this man, but Barabbas!' Now Barabbas was a robber."
The story of Barabbas is rich in theological and symbolic significance. Barabbas, whose name means "son of the father," represents humanity's sinful nature and the choice of the people to reject the true Son of the Father, Jesus Christ. The release of Barabbas and the condemnation of Jesus illustrate the great exchange that lies at the heart of the Gospel: Jesus takes the place of the sinner, bearing the punishment that we deserve, so that we might be set free.
The crowd's choice of Barabbas over Jesus also reflects the human tendency to choose the familiar and the immediate over the divine and the eternal. Barabbas, a known insurrectionist, may have represented the hope of a political messiah who would deliver Israel from Roman oppression. In contrast, Jesus' kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36), and his mission was to bring spiritual liberation and reconciliation with God.
The narrative also underscores the role of the religious leaders in manipulating the crowd and orchestrating Jesus' death. Their envy and fear of losing power led them to reject the Messiah they had long awaited. Pilate's acquiescence to the crowd's demands, despite his recognition of Jesus' innocence, highlights the moral cowardice and political expediency that often characterize human authority.
In Christian literature, the story of Barabbas has been explored in various ways. For instance, in "The Desire of Ages" by Ellen G. White, the author reflects on the contrast between Jesus and Barabbas and the profound implications of the crowd's choice. White writes:
"Barabbas, the robber and murderer, was the representative of Satan. Christ was the representative of God. Christ had been rejected; Barabbas had been chosen. Barabbas, they were to have. In making this choice, they accepted him who from the beginning was a liar and a murderer. Satan was their leader. As a nation, they rejected Christ, and accepted Barabbas" (The Desire of Ages, p. 738).
This interpretation emphasizes the spiritual battle between good and evil and the consequences of rejecting Christ.
The story of Barabbas also invites personal reflection. Each of us, in our sinfulness, is like Barabbas, deserving of punishment but offered freedom through the sacrifice of Jesus. The choice before the crowd is the same choice before us today: Will we accept Jesus as our Savior and King, or will we reject him in favor of our own desires and the ways of the world?
In conclusion, the scriptures that mention Barabbas—Matthew 27:15-26, Mark 15:6-15, Luke 23:13-25, and John 18:38-40—provide a powerful narrative that illustrates the depth of God's love and the gravity of human sin. The release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus encapsulate the heart of the Gospel message: Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God, takes the place of the guilty, offering redemption and reconciliation to all who believe in him.
