Mark 15:6-15
6 Now at the Passover Feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested.
7 And the one named Barabbas had been imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder in the revolt.
8 And the crowd went up and began asking Pilate to do as he had been accustomed to do for them.
9 Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?”
10 For he was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.
11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead.
12 And responding again, Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?”
13 They shouted back, “Crucify Him!”
14 But Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!”
15 Intent on satisfying the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified.
Jesus and Barabbas
The responsibility of Pilate and of the crowd
At this point, Pilate realized that Jesus was innocent and that the Jews had handed Him over out of envy. Now, during the feast, there was a custom to release one prisoner whom the crowd desired. This was being done to appease and conciliate the Jews. Pilate, in accordance with this custom, attempted to release Jesus by giving the crowd a choice between Him and Barabbas. However, the crowd, influenced by the chief priests and elders, insisted on the release of Barabbas. Seeing that the situation was getting out of control, Pilate washed his hands with water and allowed Jesus to be crucified (Matt. 27:24). Pilate attempted to evade responsibility until the end, but it is evident that the responsibility was his. As a proof to this, his name is preserved in the Apostles’ Creed and remains in the memory of people around the world to this day. Now, the crowd shouted, “His blood be on us and on our children!” (Matt. 27:25). This was fulfilled when Jerusalem was destroyed in the year 70 AD. It represents the curse resulting from rejecting the Messiah, that is, the judgment for the unforgivable sin. However, it’s important to note that they specifically said, “on us and on our children.” From this passage, it is not correct to conclude that the entire Jewish people are cursed. It is not correct to conclude from this passage that the entire Jewish people are cursed.
Concerning the name “Barabbas”
Now, let’s take a closer look at Barabbas, who was released in place of Jesus. (1) “Barabbas” is not a proper name; it is a title meaning “son of Abba.” (2) From other sources, we know that his actual name was Yeshua, the same name by which Jesus was also called. It seems that the Gospel writers adopted the name Barabbas to avoid confusion. (3) Ironically, “Abba” means “father,” so Barabbas translates to “son of the father.” Jesus is the “Son of the heavenly Father,” and Barabbas is the “son of an earthly father.” This, too, is highly similar. (4) Jesus died as a substitute for Barabbas. Barabbas symbolizes us, or rather, we are the Barabbas of today. Let’s give thanks to the Lord for being forgiven of sin and given life through the death of Jesus.
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, I am indeed the Barabbas of today. I have been forgiven and given life through the death of Jesus. Please lead me to live a life in response to the love of our Lord Jesus. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.