Mark 15:7 Commentary and Bible Study

Barabbas was a leading insurrectionist, a Jewish zealot. He was one of those who wanted a Jewish theocracy to rule the nation, the defeat of the Roman power, and the great expansion and prominence of the Jewish state, and he would kill and murder for it; the people had an admiration for that. This is what they had hoped Christ would do! He would be Messiah in the sense that they wanted a Messiah – just for earthly benefit, earthly prosperity, earthly triumph, status and esteem. When it became obvious that that was not his work and they saw him beaten and tied and bound, imprisoned by the Romans, then they resented him. They said to themselves, ‘We thought he was going to lead us free.’How interesting it is that whereas three Gospels point out that Barabbas was guilty of rebellion against the Roman authority and murder, John's Gospel chooses to identify Barabbas as a robber, a bandit. John ignores the fact that Barabbas was guilty of insurrection because his is the last Gospel, and he is aware the people know that already from the other three Gospels. What he, under inspiration, chooses to say is that Barabbas was by character and by background, a thief, a robber. He was a highwayman, a member of one of those gangs that hung out in the hills, hovered over the passes, and attacked trade caravans – lone travellers were their favourites – and robbed them, leaving them for dead. His name, Barabbas, means son of his father. That is very suggestive – like father, like son maybe. So here is Barabbas, a seasoned criminal, with probably a great list of crimes and now murder in the city. He is going to be preferred to Jesus of Nazareth, Christ the Lord, the one who had healed so many, who proclaimed the pardon of God and peace, the love of God, and the redemption which he would secure. The one who did everything for nothing, who walked around as a poor man, and took no reward from anyone, whereas a charlatan could have made a fortune, as they do today if they pretend to any capacity to heal. They preferred the violent thief and convicted criminal to Jesus of Nazareth, Christ, their healing compassionate Messiah. Here then is the second humiliation: the choosing of Barabbas, and the rejection of Christ, an intelligent choice by the people. ‘Crucify him crucify him. Give us, Barabbas any day.’