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.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
First-century Judea seethed with revolutionary movements. Josephus describes numerous insurrections (Jewish War 2.13.2-7). The term στασιασταί likely identifies Barabbas as a sicarii (dagger-men) or zealot. Rome crucified thousands for insurrection—that Barabbas was still alive suggests recent arrest. The 'insurrection' may have occurred during the Passover itself, explaining heightened tensions. Barabbas embodied the violent messiah many Jews wanted; Jesus embodied the suffering servant they rejected.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the theological significance of the name 'Barabbas' meaning 'son of the father'?
- How does Barabbas's guilt for the very crimes Jesus was accused of prefigure substitutionary atonement?
- Why might the crowd prefer a violent revolutionary over the Prince of Peace?
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Analysis & Commentary
And there was one named Barabbas (ἦν δὲ ὁ λεγόμενος Βαραββᾶς, ēn de ho legomenos Barabbas)—The name Βαραββᾶς (Barabbas) is Aramaic: בַּר־אַבָּא (bar-abba), 'son of the father.' Some manuscripts of Matthew 27:16 give his full name as 'Jesus Barabbas,' heightening the choice: Jesus son of the father (the criminal) or Jesus Son of the Father (the Christ). Which lay bound with them that had made insurrection (μετὰ τῶν στασιαστῶν δεδεμένος, meta tōn stasiastōn dedemenos)—Barabbas was imprisoned with στασιασταί (stasiastai), insurrectionists or rebels.
Who had committed murder in the insurrection (οἵτινες ἐν τῇ στάσει φόνον πεποιήκεισαν, hoitines en tē stasei phonon pepoiēkeisan)—The noun φόνος (phonos) means murder. Barabbas was guilty of the very crimes Jesus was falsely accused of: sedition (στάσις, stasis) and violence. The substitution is profoundly theological: the guilty goes free, the innocent dies—the gospel in miniature (2 Corinthians 5:21).