What was barabbas crime?

What was Barabbas’ Crime?

The story of Barabbas, a pivotal figure in the New Testament, has fascinated scholars and theologians for centuries. Barabbas, whose name means "son of the father," was a thief and a murderer, yet he was set free by Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, in place of Jesus Christ. In this article, we will explore the details of Barabbas’ crime and examine the significance of his release in the context of the passion of Christ.

Barabbas’ Background

Before we delve into Barabbas’ crime, it is essential to understand his background. According to the New Testament, Barabbas was a criminal who was imprisoned for several years, possibly for participating in a Jewish rebellion against the Roman occupation (Luke 23:18). He was a revolutionary, a rebel who resisted the Roman rule and authority.

The Crime

So, what was Barabbas’ crime? The New Testament account in Luke 23:18-19 states: "They cried out: ‘Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!’ Then the governor said, ‘Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?’ Crown him, I beg of you! But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him released to them rather than to Jesus."

It appears that Barabbas’ crime was a violent uprising against the Roman authorities, possibly involving murder and pillage. The Greek word used to describe Barabbas’ crime, "eistremou," means "to rush or run riot," indicating a sense of chaos and disorder. Barabbas was likely a dangerous and violent individual who threatened the stability of the Roman occupation.

Comparison with Jesus’ Crime

In contrast to Barabbas’ crime, Jesus’ crime was very different. Jesus’ crime was the act of prophesying, healing, and teaching about the Kingdom of God, which the Roman authorities saw as a threat to their power and authority. Jesus was accused of being a rival king, claiming to be the Son of God and challenging the authority of Pilate and the Roman Empire.

Significance of Barabbas’ Release

The release of Barabbas is a crucial event in the passion narrative. It highlights the contrast between Barabbas’ crime and Jesus’ innocence, and underscores the injustice of Jesus’ sentencing. Pilate, who was torn between fulfilling his duty as a Roman governor and sparing Jesus’ life, chose to release Barabbas, the violent revolutionary, rather than Jesus, the innocent lamb of God.

Tensions and Parallels

The story of Barabbas and Jesus’ release also raises interesting parallels and tensions:

• Tension between the people and the Roman authorities: The crowd’s demand to release Barabbas instead of Jesus highlights the deep-seated resentment and opposition to Roman rule.
• Tension between Barabbas and Jesus: The contrast between Barabbas’ crime and Jesus’ innocence underscores the distinction between two men who might have been considered rivals for the crowd’s attention.
• Tension between Pilate and the Jews: Pilate’s refusal to release Jesus, despite the crowd’s demands, highlights the tensions between the Roman governor and the Jewish leaders.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Barabbas’ crime was a violent uprising against the Roman authorities, likely involving murder and pillage. His release by Pilate serves as a poignant reminder of the injustice and irony of Jesus’ sentencing. The contrast between Barabbas’ crime and Jesus’ innocence underscores the significance of Jesus’ death and the importance of his message to humanity.

Table: Comparison of Barabbas’ Crime and Jesus’ Crime

Key Takeaways

• Barabbas was a revolutionary who participated in a violent uprising against the Roman authorities.
• His crime was likely violent and threatening to the Roman occupation.
• The release of Barabbas by Pilate serves as a poignant reminder of the injustice and irony of Jesus’ sentencing.
• The contrast between Barabbas’ crime and Jesus’ innocence underscores the significance of Jesus’ death and the importance of his message to humanity.