The Life of Jesus in Harmony | Index

Barabbas

BARAB'BAS (Gk. barabbas, for Aram. bar'abba', "son of the father," or "son of Abba").

A robber who had committed murder in an insurrection (Mk 15:7) in Jerusalem and was lying in prison at the time of the trial of Jesus before Pilate, A.D. 29.

Pilate, in his anxiety to save Jesus, proposed to release Him to the people, in accordance with their demand that he should release one prisoner to them at the Passover. Barabbas was guilty of the crimes of murder and sedition, making him liable to both Roman and Jewish law. But the Jews so wanted the death of Jesus that they preferred pardoning Barabbas (Mat 27:20).

"And wishing to satisfy the multitude, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he delivered Him over to be crucified" <Mark 15:15>.