Who Was Barabbas in the Bible — In Biblical Context
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)
The Biblical Context
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.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Matthew 27:16-17, sits inside Matthew 27. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"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?"
Supporting Passages
"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."
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