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Mtt 27:15-16 ( NKJV) has this account of the trial of Jesus:

Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.

Matthew goes on to state that after the people had asked for releasing of Barabbas,Pilate asked the crowd as to what he should do with Jesus ( Verse 22), implying an option, among others, to put Jesus in prison in lieu of the released personer.

Now, the Evangelist does not say that Barabbas had been convicted with death-penalty. And, we do not see the two thieves as candidates for the reprieve. There should have been more criminals in prison, some awaiting death penalty and others undergoing lesser punishments.How then is that only Barabbas' name came up at Jesus trial ? What had he been convicted of , say a coup attempt against Rome ? Did Pilate hope that the Jews would think twice before demanding Barabbas' release , which made him bring the notorious criminal to the stage ? Do Bible historians have a considered view on the prospects ?

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    It can also be read that at the feast the Governor would choose whom to release. In this particualr instance, then, Pilate, the Occupying Power, is yielding authority to the Jewish People to make a choice. It is revealing that a choice between a flagrantly guilty man, an enemy of the state, is chosen above an innocent man against whom no witnesses seem to agree. Pilate's attempt at justice merely reveals how unjust the multitiude (and the leaders) were at that time. Commented Sep 4, 2025 at 9:10
  • Thanks, Nigel J. My assumption is that Pilate could have named at least 10 prisoners as prospective candidates for the reprieve. Maybe, he thought of naming one at a time, beginning with the most notorious and enemy-of the -state criminal. Commented Sep 4, 2025 at 11:31

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Pontius Pilate did not choose Barabbas - the crowd did, as recorded in John 18:39-40. Furthermore, numerous modern Christian scholars and leaders, including Pope Benedict XVI, the crowd that called for Barabbas release likely consisted of Jewish Temple authorities and Barabbas' supporters, not of the entire Jewish people (Britannica.com).

Barabbas is described in John 18:40 as someone who had "taken part in an uprising," and in Luke 23:19, as a "murderer". Intriguingly, some ancient manuscripts of Matthew's Gospel refer to him as "Jesus Barabbas" (churchleaders.com). His name, derived from Aramaic, means "son of the father" - a striking parallel to Jesus, who is understood as the son of the one true God.

The choice to release Barabbas over Jesus reveals a profound and unsettling truth about human nature: the tendency to favor earthly power and rebellion over divine truth and grace. It is a moment in scripture that invites deep reflection on the values we choose and the voices we follow.

References:

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  • Thanks, Vincent Wong. In Matthew 27, we hear the name of Barabbas from the mouth of Pilate. Who planted the name in Pilate's mind ? Why Barabbas out of the many imprisoned criminals ? That is what my question is about. Commented Sep 5, 2025 at 13:22
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I take the word "notorious" (ἐπίσημον) as important here. It is also translated as eminent, notable, and infamous. These adjectives could also apply to Jesus. Since we know of no other notable prisoners, it stands to reason that Jesus and Barabbas were the two most famous ones. Jesus was known as teacher, healer, and recently as a man claiming to be the Son of David who overthrew the money changers tables in the temple. Barabbas was known as a leader of an insurrection against Rome. Both were accused of trying to overthrow Roman rule, although in Jesus' case, his understanding of the Messiah's role did not involve violent revolution.

So we may conclude that these two names were brought forth because they were the most famous supposed revolutionary leaders who were in prison at the time.

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  • Thanks, Dan Fefferman. Was Jesus made to stay in prison ? He was taken in the night and produced for trial early in the morning. By today's standards, a person is arrested and put in lock- up within the police station. He is then produced before a judge who may remand him to judicial custody. Imprisonment follows if he is convicted on trial. Commented Sep 5, 2025 at 5:19

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