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Barabbas

Pronounced buh-RAB-us

boy

✓ In the King James Bible — Yes — Barabbas appears in the King James Bible, including John 18:40.

Meaning: "Son of the father"
Origin: Aramaic

Barabbas means "son of the father" in Aramaic — a deeply ironic name given his role in the Passion narrative. He was the criminal whom Pontius Pilate offered to release instead of Jesus, following the custom of releasing one prisoner at Passover. The crowd's choice of Barabbas over Jesus is one of the most dramatic moments in Scripture. Pilate, finding no fault in Jesus, offered the people a choice: the innocent Jesus or the guilty Barabbas, described as a robber, insurrectionist, and murderer. The crowd shouted: "Not this man, but Barabbas." The theological irony is staggering. Barabbas — "son of the father" — was a guilty man set free because the true Son of the Father took his place. In this sense, Barabbas represents every sinner who has been set free because Jesus bore their punishment. He is the ultimate picture of substitutionary atonement. Some early manuscripts give Barabbas the first name "Jesus" (Jesus Barabbas), making Pilate's question even more pointed: which Jesus do you choose — the political revolutionary or the divine Savior?

Spiritual meaning

Barabbas — 'son of the father' — is the mirror in which every believer sees themselves. A guilty person set free because the innocent One took their place. His story is the Gospel in miniature.

Related verses (KJV)

"Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber."
John 18:40 (KJV) →
"Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified."
Matthew 27:26 (KJV) →

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