Who Was Barabbas in the Bible?
Who Was Barabbas in the Bible? Barabbas was a notorious prisoner — a robber, insurrectionist, and murderer — whom Pilate released in place of Jesus at the crowd's demand.
Key verse: Matthew 27:16-17 (KJV)
Barabbas was a notorious prisoner — a robber, insurrectionist, and murderer — whom Pilate released in place of Jesus at the crowd's demand.
Barabbas was a notorious prisoner — a robber, insurrectionist, and murderer — whom Pilate released in place of Jesus at the crowd's demand.
"And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?" — Matthew 27:16-17 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
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The Biblical Answer
Barabbas appears in all four Gospels as the prisoner released instead of Jesus at the Passover. He was, according to Scripture, a 'notable prisoner,' guilty of insurrection against Rome and of murder. Pilate, hoping to free Jesus, offered the crowd a choice between the innocent Christ and the guilty Barabbas. Stirred up by the chief priests, the people cried out, 'Not this man, but Barabbas' (John 18:40). Barabbas walked free; Jesus went to the cross. The exchange is a vivid picture of the gospel itself. Barabbas — whose name means 'son of the father' — represents every sinner: guilty, condemned, deserving death. Jesus, the truly righteous Son of the Father, took the place of the guilty so that the guilty could go free.
Key Scripture References
"And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?"
"Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber."
"And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
Who was Pontius Pilate?
Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea who presided over the trial of Jesus, found Him innocent, but ultimately sentenced Him to crucifixion under pressure from the crowd.
Who Was Caiaphas in the Bible?
Caiaphas was the Jewish high priest who presided over the council that condemned Jesus and handed Him over to Pilate to be crucified.
What Is the Passion of Christ?
The Passion of Christ refers to the suffering, crucifixion, and death of Jesus — the events that secured salvation for all who believe.
Who Was Melchizedek in the Bible?
Melchizedek was a mysterious king of Salem and priest of the Most High God who blessed Abraham and received tithes from him.
Who Was Abraham in the Bible?
Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation, called by God from Ur of the Chaldees, and known as the 'father of faith.'
Deep Dive Commentary
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Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Matthew. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Matthew on day 284 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
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