"Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber."
Biblical Name · Aramaic Origin
Barabbas Meaning in the Bible
Barabbas
boy
Barabbas means "son of the father," from the Aramaic bar abba. In the King James Bible he is "a notable prisoner" (Matthew 27:16) whom the crowd chose to free instead of Jesus: "Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber" (John 18:40).
Is Barabbas in the Bible?
Yes — Barabbas appears in the King James Bible, including John 18:40.
Pronunciation:/buh-RAB-us/
OriginAramaic
MeaningSon of the father
What does Barabbas mean?
Barabbas is a boy name of Aramaic origin meaning "Son of the father". 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.
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Editor’s reflection
'Son of the father' — the guilty man who walked free in the place of the innocent one.
Barabbas is Aramaic Bar-Abba, literally 'son of the father' (bar, son; abba, father). It functions as a patronymic rather than a personal name, which is why several early manuscripts of Matthew 27:16 give his full name as 'Jesus Barabbas' — Jesus being an ordinary name in first-century Judea. The KJV follows the manuscripts that read simply 'Barabbas.'
All four Gospels record him. Mark calls him one 'which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection' (Mark 15:7); John flatly calls him a robber. At the Passover custom of releasing one prisoner, Pilate offers the crowd a choice between Barabbas and Jesus, and the crowd chooses Barabbas. The exchange is the plainest picture of substitution in the New Testament: the guilty man is released and the innocent man is condemned in his place.
The name is not used for children, and this page exists for readers, not parents: 'Barabbas' is searched almost entirely by people studying the Passion narrative or preparing a Good Friday lesson. Its meaning is the reason preachers return to it — the crowd released a 'son of the father' and crucified the Son of the Father.
“But they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas.”
What does Barabbas mean in the Bible?
Barabbas means "Son of the father" and is a name of Aramaic origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
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?
Where does Barabbas appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Barabbas is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with John 18:40. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified."
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Which books of the Bible mention Barabbas?
Barabbas is mentioned across 4 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Barabbas?
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 Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Barabbas:
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What names are related to Barabbas?
Names like Barabbas
Other Aramaic biblical names that share the spirit of "Son of the father" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Barabbas
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Barabbas
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Barabbas name meaning: frequently asked questions
Mark 15:7 and Luke 23:19 say he was imprisoned for sedition — an insurrection against Rome — and for murder committed during it. John 18:40 adds that he was a robber, a word often used of insurgent bandits. He was, by every Gospel account, genuinely guilty of a capital offence.
Yes — Barabbas appears in the King James Bible, including John 18:40.
Barabbas means "Son of the father." It is an Aramaic name. The King James Bible uses it in John 18:40, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Common questions about the name Barabbas
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Barabbas?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Barabbas?
You can read every verse where Barabbas appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.