Who was Barabbas in the Bible?

Barabbas was a notorious prisoner released by Pilate instead of Jesus, becoming an unwitting picture of substitutionary atonement—the guilty set free while the innocent dies.

What lessons can we learn from Barabbas?

The gospel is the story of an innocent substitute dying for the guilty. The crowd's choice reminds us how easily people reject truth for falsehood. Every believer is a Barabbas—guilty yet set free by Christ's sacrifice.

Who was Jesus Christ in the Bible?

Jesus Christ is the central figure of Christianity, the Son of God who became man to save humanity from sin through His death and resurrection.

Who was Pontius Pilate in the Bible?

Pilate was the Roman governor who tried Jesus, found no fault in Him, yet condemned Him to crucifixion under pressure from the Jewish leaders and crowd.

Who was Caiaphas in the Bible?

Caiaphas was the Jewish high priest who orchestrated Jesus' arrest and trial, ironically prophesying that one man should die for the people.

Barabbas: The Pardoned Criminal | New Testament Bible Character

Q: What are the key Bible verses about Barabbas?

Matthew 27:20-21: "But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas." Mark 15:7: "And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection."

Barabbas appears at the climax of Jesus' trial before Pontius Pilate. All four Gospels mention him, each adding details: he was a "notable prisoner," a robber, a murderer, and an insurrectionist who had committed murder during a rebellion. He was the worst of criminals, yet he would walk free while the sinless Son of God took his place.

Pilate, seeking a way to release Jesus, invoked a Passover custom of releasing one prisoner chosen by the crowd. He presented the choice: Jesus, called Christ, or Barabbas. Pilate assumed the people would choose the miracle-working teacher over a violent criminal. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd, and the multitude cried out with one voice: "Release unto us Barabbas!"

When Pilate asked what to do with Jesus, they shouted, "Crucify him!" Pilate washed his hands and released Barabbas to them, delivering Jesus to be crucified. Barabbas walked out of his cell a free man while Jesus was led to Golgotha.

The name Barabbas means "son of the father." The irony is staggering: the guilty son of an earthly father was released while the innocent Son of the Heavenly Father was condemned. In this exchange, every believer sees their own story—the guilty set free because the Innocent One took their place. Barabbas never appears in Scripture again; we don't know if he ever understood the magnitude of his release.

Key Scriptures

"But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas."

— Matthew 27:20-21

Also linked to: Pontius Pilate, Judas Iscariot

"And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection."

— Mark 15:7

Also linked to: Joseph of Arimathea

"Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber."

— John 18:40