Good Friday is coming up this week; so, this morning we’re going to focus on an event surrounding Jesus’ trial and crucifixion. We will be examining the account of Jesus and Barabbas, and this is apparently a significant event because it is shared in all four of the gospels. The other locations are Matthew 27:15-26, Luke 23:13-25, and John 18:39-40.
The account of Jesus and Barabbas speaks of substitution. If you’ve ever had a substitute teacher in school then you have a basic understanding of what “substitution” is about. A substitute teacher is one who takes the place of the regular teacher when he or she is absent. “Substituting” is switching places. When Jesus was crucified, He died for you and me. He switched places with us in death; and thereby, became our substitute.
“It was on the cross that Jesus made His substitutionary atonement for us. But it is difficult for each of us to know what substitutionary atonement means for us personally, as a man or woman before God. The only way we can know this is from the vantage point of the guilty criminal sentenced to death . . . Fortunately, our Lord knew how He could engage us in learning about our atonement – He gave us the gift of Barabbas.”(1)
The account we are going to view this morning will help us to gain a greater appreciation of the great sacrifice that Jesus made for you and me. Let us stand in honor of the reading of God’s Word, as we look at Mark 15:6-15.
Mark 15:6-15
6 Now at the feast he [Pilate] was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. 7 And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. 8 Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. 9 But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. 12 Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” 13 So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!” 14 Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!” 15 So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.
This passage presents a contrast between two men: Jesus the Christ and Barabbas. It has been suggested that both Jesus and Barabbas lived somewhat parallel lives; however, it is evident from what we read in the Scripture that they were on different ends of the spectrum.
Think about Jesus for a moment. Who was He? The Scripture is replete with descriptions of Jesus’ purpose. Just look at the book of John, for example. In John 1:1 and 1:14 we discover that Jesus is God; that He came to walk the earth in human flesh. In John 1:29, as Jesus was approaching John the Baptist to be baptized, John said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” In John 3:16, Jesus is said to be God’s only begotten Son who gives eternal life to all who believe in Him. In John 11:25, Jesus stated of Himself, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” And in John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
According to the Scripture, Jesus came to this earth to take away the sins of the world and grant eternal life to all people who believe in Him. He did this when He, in human form, died on the cross and bore the penalty for our sins. And according to Romans 6:23, the penalty for our sins is death. This is a spiritual death, which is eternal separation from God. Jesus was able or worthy to pay the price for our sins because He was God; because He was perfect and without sin.
Many of the people in Jesus’ day and time who were familiar with His ministry viewed His purpose quite differently, based on their preconceptions. Those who identified Him as the long-awaited Messiah thought that He would take the world by force and wreak havoc on all Israel’s enemies. When Jesus was arrested and then questioned by Pilate, we get the sense that the Romans feared that Jesus was leading a rebellion. He was questioned as to whether or not He was a Galilean (Luke 23:6), probably because there was a rebel rouser from Galilee at the time called by the name of Judas the Galilean, who had led in a revolt against the Roman Empire (Acts 5:37).
In John 18:33, we learn that Pilate questioned Jesus as to whether or not He was the King of the Jews, for there was to be no king above Caesar. And Jesus replied by saying, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews” (John 18:36). So, this very statement that Jesus made shows us how He knew that the Romans were thinking of Him as some kind of rebel leader. We learn that – even though Jesus was the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world – to many of the people, Jesus was seen as just another rebel rouser.
So, how was Barabbas viewed? In Matthew 27:16, he is called a “notorious prisoner.” John 18:40 says, “Now Barabbas was a robber.” And in Mark 15:7 and Luke 23:18-19, we read that he took part in a rebellion and that he committed murder. When I researched Barabbas, I read that he was a political terrorist and a murderer. He might have even been a Zealot, or a freedom fighter dedicated to getting rid of the despised Roman occupation forces in Judea.(2)
So, Barabbas was a rebel rouser. He was viewed in the same way that many people saw Jesus. Therefore, when Pilate, holding to the custom of releasing one of the prisoners, presented both Jesus and Barabbas to the people, he was basically saying, “Do you want Jesus the rebel rouser or Barabbas the rebel rouser?” You see, many of the people in the crowd did not realize that Jesus was not on the same level as Barabbas.
What makes this account even more interesting is when we consider some of the ancient manuscripts. According to the United Bible Societies, Matthew 27:17 should be translated as, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”(3) Did you catch that part about Jesus Barabbas? It is said that several manuscripts support the fact that Barabbas’ name was actually Jesus Barabbas, but upon translation the name Jesus was deliberately left out for reverential considerations. They did not want the name Jesus to be associated with anyone who was a sinner.(4) As an example, the 2011 edition of the NIV states, “So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, ‘Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?’”
During the time that Jesus lived, the name “Jesus” was actually a common name, and it was derived from the same word form as the name “Joshua.” Today, you will find many Hispanic people with the name Jesus. So, we see here that Pilate was really asking the people, “Do you want Jesus Christ the rebel rouser or Jesus Barabbas the rebel rouser?”
Many of the people in the crowd could not differentiate between Jesus and Barabbas; but there was something very different between these two men; otherwise the people would have been unable to make a choice. I want to talk to you about what was different. We already know that Jesus was God’s one and only Son who came to take away the sins of the world, but what does that really mean? We find some understanding in the meaning of these two names – in the name Jesus Christ and in the name Jesus Barabbas.
Let’s first look at the name “Jesus Christ.” In Easton’s Bible Dictionary we read that the name “Christ” is “the Greek translation of the Hebrew word rendered ‘Messiah,’ the official title of our Lord, [and that] it denotes that He was anointed or consecrated to His great redemptive work as Prophet, Priest, and King of His people.”(5) Jesus Christ was the Son of a heavenly Father.
Now, let’s take a look at the name “Jesus Barabbas.” You have probably heard the term “abba” used before in the Bible, and you likely recall how it means “father.” Bar-abbas, literally means, “Son of a father.” Commentator Gerrit Vos says, “Everyone in the . . . world is in this Barabbas. The man born of a human father.” He continues to say, “I think God was thinking of Adam, the first father. He is Adam’s son.”(6) As a son of Adam, Barabbas was one born of sin. Jesus was the Son of God and Barabbas was the son of sin.
So, we have Jesus Christ the Son of the heavenly Father, and Jesus Barabbas the son of an earthly father. This is where we find the significance of this account. Let’s focus for a moment on Barabbas. Barabbas represents all mankind. He is the son of Adam, just as we all are. Adam, the first man, committed the first sin in human history and we have all been trapped in sin ever since. Romans 5:14 tells us that, since Adam, all people who have ever been born have committed sin and are doomed to the consequences of sin, which is spiritual death (Romans 6:23). We are all condemned men – and women – just like Barabbas.
Barabbas should have been crucified for he was guilty of many crimes, and we should all be punished for our sins and our crimes against God, for we too are guilty. Barabbas was not crucified though, but Jesus, who was an innocent man, was crucified instead. For all of us who believe in Jesus as our Savior and Lord, then we too are spared from death. Jesus died in our place, just as He died in Barabbas’ place. His sacrifice on the cross over 2000 years ago is still in effect this very today. 1 Corinthians 15:22 says, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.”
I stated earlier that many of the people were not able to identify a difference between Jesus and Barabbas, at least not on the conscious level; but subconsciously, they knew there was a difference, and that is the reason why they chose Barabbas to be released unto them. You see, they chose one of their own, someone like themselves – a sinner.
Each and every person in the crowd who cried out for Barabbas to be released was just as guilty as Barabbas. And we are just as guilty as that crowd who cried out for Jesus’ crucifixion, for every time we sin we drive another spike into Jesus’ hands or feet. All of mankind is responsible for Jesus’ death on the cross, for it was on account of our sins that He was slain.
The people in the crowd chose someone like themselves, for the very reason that a fellow sinner would not convict them of their wrong doings; he would not make them feel accountable. Jesus, on the other hand, was perfect. We read in 1 John 3:5, “He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.” It was Jesus’ perfect and sinless nature that the people despised, but what they rejected in Jesus was what they needed to save them, for only a perfect sacrifice could atone for the imperfections of all of mankind.
Now, think for a moment how you would feel if you were standing in the same place as Barabbas. You know that you have committed many crimes that are worthy of death. You are a condemned man without hope, standing next to a completely innocent man. You know that a prisoner is supposed to be released to the crowd, and you know there is no way it will be you. You are sure it will be that innocent man standing beside you. And then the crowd cries out for your release. It’s a miracle; one which you cannot explain, and you probably don’t care to explain it either, for all you care about at that moment is that you are free. You are free from the pain and torture of crucifixion. You are free from death. You are given another chance at life.
This is the same thing that happens to us when we believe that Jesus died for our sins and when we confess Him as Savior and Lord. We are all living in sin and we are all condemned to death and to be tortured in the flames of hell for all eternity; but then we are set free and someone else dies in our place. That someone is Jesus. Romans 10:9 tells us, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” We are saved for the very reason that Jesus became our lifesaver when He took our place in death on the cross.
Jesus was not a victim of society. He came to this world for the very purpose of being crucified on the cross to bear the penalty for our sins. He allowed Himself to be crucified, even though He could have called down legions of angels to rescue Him at any moment. Because Jesus Christ is God, He had foreknowledge. He knew ahead of time the events that would surround His trial and crucifixion, and He saw that Barabbas would be released to the crowd instead of Him. Jesus allowed Himself to be killed instead of Barabbas. Jesus died for Barabbas, and He died for us too.
In Isaiah 53:4-5, we are told, “He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” In the book of First Peter we are told, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18a).
I am going to read for you Romans 5:6-8: “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” What these verses are telling us is that it is a rare thing for anyone to die for someone else; and if they did, it would be because they were trying to save a good person, or someone who is considered worthy.
Jesus, on the other hand, died for those who are unworthy. He died for the notorious criminal named Barabbas, and He died for the notorious criminal named (Pastor's Name). He also died for the notorious criminal named FILL IN THE BLANK. Jesus laid down His life for each and every one of us, and He did not expect us to become perfect first. He died for us where we are in our sins, and He will come to us and save us right where we are. We do not have to get our lives straightened up first before we accept Jesus into our heart as Savior and Lord. We are to come to Him just as we are, and when we do He will receive us just as we are.
Time of Reflection
I wish to invite you this morning to come just as you are. Allow Jesus to take your place in death that you might receive eternal life. Jesus wants to step in and take your place. If you truly feel the Lord calling you to surrender your life to Him, then what you need to do is believe with all your heart that Jesus died for you; and then you must confess that belief before others in order to show that you are not ashamed of Jesus; and the Bible tells us that you will be saved.
NOTES
(1) Dorman Followwill, “Jesus, Barabbas, and Atonement,” taken from the Internet in March 2004 at http://www.pbc.org/dp/dorman/4450.html.
(2) Dietrich Gruen, ed., “Barabbas,” Who’s Who in the Bible (Lincolnwood, Illinois: Publications International, Ltd, 1998), p. 44.
(3) Michael Cortright, “Jesus Barabbas,” taken from the Internet in March 2004 at http://www .redbay.com/ekklesia/barabbas.htm
(4) Ibid., eg. Ceasarean manuscript, Sinaitic Palimpsest, Palestinian Syriac, and some of the manuscripts used by Origen.
(5) M. G. Easton, “Christ,” Easton’s Bible Dictionary (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1996).
(6) Gerrit Vos, “Jesus or Barabbas,” taken from the Internet in March 2004 at http://www.prca.org/sermons/matthew27.17.html.
