If we break down the name Barabbas like we do Bar Jonah and Bartholomew it means 'son of a father' or 'son of father.' If names indicate anything Barabbas was a Jew as most likely were the others.
John wrote Barabbas was a robber. Mark says Barabbas was among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection. Insurrection is the rising up against established authority, rebellion, revolt. Luke tells us he was thrown into jail for insurrection and for murder. Matthew says he was a notorious prisoner. Notorious is defined as well-known, publicly discussed, widely but unfavorably known or talked about. My guess is Barabbas and his fellows had no patience for other Jews who did not join them in their rebellion against Rome. Similar to the way Loyalists were treated during our Revolutionary war.
A few hours before, Jesus had recalled the prophecy of Isaiah that he would be numbered with the transgressors. To the uninformed they were all criminals deserving of death. Jesus' enemies treated him as a sinner. It may be that the arrangement of putting Jesus in the middle was intended to show that all three were of the same lawless class, that would have been Barabbas' place. It was God's plan for Jesus to be treated as a sinner. In "being numbered with the transgressors the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
I have no idea how long Barabbas and his gang were in prison before Barabbas was exchanged for Jesus but they all may have seen Jesus and maybe even heard him teach. If they misunderstood and thought Jesus was rebelling against Rome they may have even followed him. The one fellow was either guessing or knew enough about Jesus to know he had not done anything worthy of crucifixion.
Regards,
John Jenkins
John Jenkins
865-803-8179 cell
Gatlinburg, TN
Email: jrjenki@yahoo.com
Email: jrjenki@yahoo.com
Hyperbole is the Best Thing Ever.
No comments:
Post a Comment