Bible Dictionary · B
Barabbas
I.e., son of Abba or of a father, a notorious robber whom Pilate proposed to condemn to death instead of Jesus, whom he wished to release, in accordance with the Roman custom (John 18:40; Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19). But the Jews were so bent on the death of Jesus that they demanded that Barabbas should be pardoned (Matt 27:16–26; Acts 3:14). This Pilate did.
Named in the Bible
10 verses
- Matthew 27:16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
- Matthew 27:17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
- Matthew 27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
- Matthew 27:21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
- Matthew 27:26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
- 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.
- Mark 15:11 But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.
- Mark 15:15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
- Luke 23:18 And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:
- John 18:40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), by Matthew George Easton.
