barabbas Summary and Overview

i.e., son of Abba or of a father, a notorious robber whom Pilate proposed to condemn to death instead of Jesus, whom he wished to release, in accordance with the Roman custom (John 18:40; Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19). But the Jews were so bent on the death of Jesus that they demanded that Barabbas should be pardoned (Matt. 27:16-26; Acts 3:14). This Pilate did.

(son of Abba), a robber, #Joh 18:40| who had committed murder in an insurrection, #Mr 15:7; Lu 28:18| in Jerusalem and was lying in prison the time of the trial of Jesus before Pilate.p

BARAB'BAS (son of Abba), a noted criminal at Jerusalem who was in confinement for sedition and murder when Christ was condemned. Matt 27:16. It was the custom of the Romans to release some one prisoner at the time of the Jewish Passover. The Jews were permitted to name any one whose release they desired; and when the choice lay between Barabbas and Christ, they chose the robber. Matt 27:21; Mark 15:6-11; Luke 23:18; John 18:40; Acts 3:14. Pilate was anxious to save Christ, but at last released Barabbas. The custom is said to have prevailed among the Venetians as lately as the close of the eighteenth century to release a prisoner at the annual commemoration of our Saviour's resurrection.

("son of the father.") A contrast to the true Son of the Father! The Jews asked the murderous taker of life to be given as a favor to them (it being customary to release one prisoner at the passover), and killed the Prince of life! (Acts 3:14-15.) A robber (John 18:40) who had committed murder in an insurrection (Mark 15:7) and was cast into prison (compare Matthew 27:15-26). (See PILATE for the probable reason of the Jews' keenness for his release.)