Taking the Place of Barabbas
(Matt. 27:15–26; Luke 23:17–25; John 18:39—19:16 )
Mark 15:6-15 NKJV Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. 7 And there was one named Barabbas, [who was] chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. 8 Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask [him to do] just as he had always done for them. 9 But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. 12 Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do [with Him] whom you call the King of the Jews?” 13 So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!” 14 Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!” 15 So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged [Him], to be crucified.
V6 Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested.
Regarding this custom, Constable lists a few quotes:
“Evidently this custom served to improve relations between the Roman ruler and his subjects. Dictatorial governments such as Rome sometimes imprison popular rebel leaders. The Roman governor of Egypt practiced a similar custom. [Note: Taylor, p. 580.]
“Amnesties at festival times are known in many parts of the world and in various periods.” [Note: S. E. Johnson, A Commentary on the Gospel According to St. Mark, p. 249.]
“Two forms of amnesty existed in Roman law, the abolitio or acquittal of a prisoner not yet condemned, and the indulgentia, or pardoning of one already condemned. What Pilate intended in the case of Jesus, who at this stage of the proceedings had not yet been sentenced by the court, was clearly the first form.” [Note: Lane, p. 552.]
“The historicity of the paschal amnesty has been disputed often, primarily because Josephus offers no evidence that such a custom ever existed. There is, however, a parallel in Roman law which indicates that an imperial magistrate could pardon and acquit individual prisoners in response to the shouts of the populace.” [Note: Ibid., pp. 552-53.]”
V7 And there was one named Barabbas, [who was] chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion.
Barabbas is an evil man. He is a murderer and insurrectionist.
Constable adds:
“Barabbas was one of the popular Jewish freedom fighters whom the Romans had imprisoned for participating in an uprising against Rome. Later a large number of these revolutionaries organized and became known as the Zealots. Barabbas had also committed robbery, probably as part of his insurrection (John 18:40). Mark’s use of the definite article before his name implies that his original readers had heard of Barabbas.”
V8 Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask [him to do] just as he had always done for them.
This isn’t just any crowd. It was a crowd of hand-picked Jesus haters, who had Jesus derangement syndrome.
The main crowds were supportive of Jesus as in Mark 10:46, Mark 12:47, Luke 22:2, and Mark 14:1-2.
They were hoping to have Pilate release one prisoner.
V9 But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
As expected, Pilate did want to release one prisoner. He wanted Jesus to be released since he knew that Jesus was innocent. This crowd had a different idea, for they wanted someone else. It seems fitting that they ask for Barabbas, because he caused a rebellion against Rome’s rule in Israel.
V10 For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.
The Greek word for envy is (G5355) φθόνος phthónos, which means ill-will, malice, or spite, thus envy with an attitude. Compare Romans 1:28-29 and Titus 3:3. When someone has success, others who have a similar occupation, ministry, opportunity, etc., will be envious and begin a subtle or overt game of attack and destroy.
What are some consequences of envy?
Some snippets from Brave AI summary:
“It can also trigger hostility and aggression, potentially escalating to more severe actions like revenge or even contributing to radicalization.
“However, malicious envy, characterized by a desire to see others fail or lose what they have, can have particularly damaging effects, leading to harmful behaviors and negative outcomes for both the envious person and the target of their envy.”
Some Bible verses about the consequences of envy: Proverbs 14:30, Ecclesiastes 4:4, Mark 7:21-23, Acts 13:45, and James 3:16.
V11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd so that he should rather release Barabbas to them.
The Greek for stirred up is (G383) ἀνασείω anaseíō, which means to move to something. We would term it worked up the crowd. These priests are evil.
V12 Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?”
Pilate practically was begging the people to ask for Jesus because he knew that Jesus was innocent. His wife also had a dream not to do anything to this man: Matthew 27:19-20 (EHV) While he was sitting on the judgment seat, Pilate’s wife sent him a message. “Have nothing to do with that righteous man,” she said, “since I have suffered many things today in a dream because of him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death.”
V13 So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!”
Ah, finally, they shout out their murderous intents and strong desires. They wanted blood.
This does not mean every Jew wanted this to happen, just the chief priests and their fan boys.
God has not rejected Israel.
V14 Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!”
Exactly, what evil has he done? They gave no answer. They wanted to kill an innocent man. Some were deceived into doing this, but most of Jesus’s enemies knew Jesus was the Messiah but rejected Him. Compare Luke 19:14, Luke 20:14-15, and John 1:11.
Compare John 19:12-15.
V15 So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged [Him], to be crucified.
Pilate did not want riots and have to report this riot and why it happened to his Roman superiors. His motive was “peace.” His actions are 1) releasing the murderer, 2) delivering the innocent to be killed, and 3) having Jesus scourged.
What are the effects of flogging?
“Flogging, a practice involving the use of a whip or rod to beat a person, can have profound and lasting impacts on both physical and psychological well-being. Physically, the lashes can cause severe injuries such as lacerations, inflammation of internal organs, and muscle damage. The severity of these effects varies depending on various factors, including the number of lashes, the intensity of the blows, and the individual’s overall health. For instance, repeated floggings can lead to long-term damage and complications, particularly for individuals with pre-existing conditions like diabetes, which can hinder healing and increase the risk of infection.
“Psychologically, flogging can cause intense emotional distress, including feelings of fear, anxiety, humiliation, and shame. The anticipation of future floggings can further exacerbate these emotions, leading to heightened stress levels and difficulty sleeping. (Source: Brave AI).
We learn:
- The irrational hate of the Jewish leaders.
- Pilate’s actions and decisions.
- The dangers of envy.
Questions:
- Do you hate Jesus?
- Do you accept Jesus as King of kings and submit to Him?
- What advice would you have given Pilate?