Barabbas
The Guilty Freed So the Innocent Would Die
Name Information
- Meaning: "Son of the father" (Aramaic: Bar-Abba)
- Language of Origin: Aramaic
- Gender Usage: Masculine
Barabbas was a condemned criminal released instead of Jesus during Passover, as the crowd demanded. Though guilty of rebellion and murder, he was set free while the sinless Son of God was crucified. Barabbas serves as a powerful picture of substitutionary atonement — the innocent dying in place of the guilty.
⏰ 1st century AD
Roles
- Prisoner
- Insurrectionist
Story
Arrested for insurrection and murder (Mark 15:7).
Pontius Pilate offered to release either Jesus or Barabbas as part of Passover custom.
The crowd, stirred up by religious leaders, chose Barabbas.
Jesus was handed over to be crucified while Barabbas was released.
Spiritual Significance
- A criminal guilty of rebellion, murder, and theft.
- Chosen by the crowd to be released instead of Jesus.
- Represents mankind’s guilt and Jesus' substitutionary sacrifice.
- Walked free while the innocent Christ took his place on the cross.
Christ Connection
Barabbas’ release is a vivid picture of the Gospel: the righteous suffering for the unrighteous.
Jesus bore the penalty for sin so the guilty could be justified.
The exchange between Jesus and Barabbas illustrates substitutionary atonement — central to salvation.
What We Can Learn
- Jesus took the place of the guilty so they could go free.
- We are like Barabbas — deserving judgment, yet offered grace.
- God’s justice and mercy met at the cross.
Memory Verses
They cried out again, 'Not this man, but Barabbas!' Now Barabbas was a robber.
— John 18:40
Key Passages
- Matthew 27:15–26
- Mark 15:6–15
- Luke 23:18–25
- John 18:39–40
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