Bible Characters
Who Was Barabbas in the Bible? The Prisoner Released Instead of Jesus
Barabbas was a prisoner in Jerusalem whom the Roman governor Pontius Pilate released at Passover instead of Jesus. The Gospels say he had taken part in an uprising and had committed murder (Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19), and John also calls him a robber or rebel (John 18:40). When Pilate offered to release one prisoner, the crowd asked for Barabbas and called for Jesus to be crucified (Matthew 27:20-23). All four Gospels record the event.
Quick Facts About Barabbas
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Name meaning | "Son of the father" (Aramaic bar, "son," and abba, "father") |
| Testament | New Testament |
| Key books | Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:18-25; John 18:39-40; Acts 3:14 |
| Time period | 1st century AD, at the crucifixion of Jesus (about AD 30-33) |
| Known for | Being released by Pilate in place of Jesus |
Who Was Barabbas in the Bible? What the Gospels Say About Him
Each Gospel writer adds a detail about Barabbas. Taken together, they give a consistent picture.
- Matthew says he was a well-known or notorious prisoner (Matthew 27:16).
- Mark says he was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder in the uprising (Mark 15:7).
- Luke says he had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city and for murder (Luke 23:19, 23:25).
- John says he had taken part in an uprising (John 18:40). The Greek word John uses can mean a robber or a bandit, and some translations render it that way.
The Bible does not describe the uprising itself or tell us anything about Barabbas's family, hometown, or age. Everything we know about him comes from these few verses.
His Name
Barabbas is an Aramaic name meaning "son of the father." It may have been a family name, as in "son of Abba," a father with that name. Some Greek manuscripts of Matthew 27:16-17 give his full name as "Jesus Barabbas," and some modern translations include that reading with a footnote. "Jesus" (Yeshua) was a common Jewish name at the time.
The Passover Custom
The Gospels describe a custom at the Passover festival: the governor released one prisoner chosen by the crowd (Matthew 27:15; Mark 15:6). John records Pilate telling the crowd that it was their custom for him to release one prisoner at Passover (John 18:39). The Bible does not say when the custom began. No record of it has been found outside the Gospels, but the four Gospel accounts agree on it.
Pilate's Offer
Pilate Finds No Basis for a Charge
The chief priests and elders brought Jesus to Pilate, accusing Him of subverting the nation, opposing taxes to Caesar, and claiming to be a king (Luke 23:1-2). After questioning Jesus, Pilate told the chief priests and the crowd that he found no basis for a charge against Him (Luke 23:4; John 18:38). He sent Jesus to Herod Antipas, who also found nothing deserving death (Luke 23:7-15).
The Choice Between Two Prisoners
Pilate asked the crowd whether they wanted him to release Barabbas or Jesus, who was called the Messiah (Matthew 27:17). Matthew explains that Pilate knew the leaders had handed Jesus over out of self-interest (Matthew 27:18). Mark says the same: the chief priests had handed Him over out of envy (Mark 15:10).
While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him a message telling him to have nothing to do with that innocent man, because she had suffered a great deal in a dream because of Him (Matthew 27:19).
The Crowd's Answer
The chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed (Matthew 27:20; Mark 15:11). When Pilate asked which of the two they wanted, they said Barabbas (Matthew 27:21). John records the moment this way:
"They shouted back, 'No, not him! Give us Barabbas!' Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising." (John 18:40)
Pilate asked what he should do with Jesus, and they shouted for Him to be crucified. When Pilate asked what crime Jesus had committed, they shouted all the louder (Matthew 27:22-23; Mark 15:13-14). Luke records that Pilate appealed to them three times (Luke 23:20-22).
Barabbas Released
Seeing that an uproar was starting, Pilate took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying he was innocent of this man's blood (Matthew 27:24). Mark says Pilate wanted to satisfy the crowd (Mark 15:15). He released Barabbas, had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified (Matthew 27:26). Luke states it directly: Pilate released the man thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, and surrendered Jesus to their will (Luke 23:25).
Barabbas in the Preaching of Peter
Barabbas is not named after the Gospels, but Peter refers to the event in a sermon at the temple. Speaking to the people of Jerusalem, he said they had disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be released to them (Acts 3:14). He went on to say that they killed the author of life, but God raised Him from the dead (Acts 3:15). Peter then called them to repent (Acts 3:19). For more on Peter's preaching, see who was Peter in the Bible.
What Happened to Barabbas?
The Bible says nothing about Barabbas after his release. It does not say whether he watched the crucifixion, whether he believed in Jesus, or how he died. Novels and films have imagined his later life, but those stories are fiction and not part of the biblical account.
Some readers connect Barabbas to the two men crucified with Jesus, since Mark mentions other rebels imprisoned with Barabbas (Mark 15:7) and the men crucified with Jesus are described with a similar term (Mark 15:27). The Bible does not state a connection between them.
Why the Story of Barabbas Matters
Jesus Declared Innocent
The Barabbas account shows that the Roman governor repeatedly declared Jesus innocent. Pilate said he found no basis for a charge against Him three times in Luke's account (Luke 23:4, 23:14, 23:22). Barabbas, a man guilty of insurrection and murder, went free.
A Picture of Substitution
Barabbas was released and Jesus was condemned in his place. The Bible does not present Barabbas as a symbol, but the event fits what the New Testament teaches about Christ's death. Peter wrote that Christ suffered for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring people to God (1 Peter 3:18). Paul wrote that God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). The account shows a guilty man set free while an innocent man went to the cross.
Fulfilled Prophecy
Isaiah foretold that the Servant of the LORD would be numbered with the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12). Jesus quoted this and said it must be fulfilled in Him (Luke 22:37). See who was Isaiah in the Bible.
Key Lessons From the Barabbas Account
- Jesus was innocent. Pilate, Herod, and Pilate's wife all spoke of His innocence (Luke 23:14-15; Matthew 27:19).
- Crowds can be moved to injustice. The leaders persuaded the crowd to choose Barabbas (Matthew 27:20).
- Avoiding responsibility does not remove it. Pilate washed his hands, yet he still handed Jesus over (Matthew 27:24-26).
- The guilty went free while the innocent was condemned. Barabbas was released and Jesus was crucified (Luke 23:25).
Where Barabbas Appears in the Bible
- Matthew 27:15-26
- Mark 15:6-15
- Luke 23:18-25
- John 18:39-40
- Acts 3:14 (referred to, not named)
For the disciple who betrayed Jesus earlier that night, see who was Judas in the Bible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Barabbas in the Bible?
Barabbas was a prisoner who had taken part in an uprising and committed murder (Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19). Pilate released him instead of Jesus at the Passover festival after the crowd asked for him (Matthew 27:21, 27:26).
What was Barabbas's crime?
Mark and Luke say Barabbas was imprisoned for insurrection and murder (Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19). John says he had taken part in an uprising (John 18:40).
What does the name Barabbas mean?
Barabbas comes from Aramaic and means "son of the father." It may have identified him as the son of a man named Abba.
Why did the crowd choose Barabbas?
The chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed (Matthew 27:20; Mark 15:11). The Gospels say the leaders had handed Jesus over out of envy (Mark 15:10).
What happened to Barabbas after he was released?
The Bible does not say. His story ends with his release in Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:15, Luke 23:25, and John 18:40.