Barabbas

How Nave’s arranged it

• A prisoner released by PilateMatthew 27:16–26Mark 15:7–15Luke 23:18–25John 18:40Acts 3:14

The passages, in Bible order (5)

The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 5 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.

1. Matthew 27:16–26

   At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner named Barabbas.

   ›Commentary on Matthew 27:16–262 voices

   “In the Gospel entitled 'according to the Hebrews,' Barabbas is interpreted, 'The son of their master,' who had been condemned for sedition and murder.

   “And they had then a notable prisoner,.... The Vulgate Latin reads, "he had"; that is, Pilate, who had committed him to prison, and under whose power he was: for the Jews had lost all authority of this kind, at least in capital cases.

   Everything gathered on Matthew 27:16–26→

   Verse page →Original language →

2. Mark 15:7–15

   And a man named Barabbas was imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection.

   ›Commentary on Mark 15:7–152 voices

   “And that the wickedness of the Jews might appear the greater, the enormity of the sin of the robber, whom they preferred to Christ, is next described. Wherefore there follows: And there was one Barabbas, who lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.

   “Here are two goats; one is the scape goat, that is, one loosed and sent out into the wilderness of hell with the sin of the people; the other is slain, as a lamb, for the sins of those who are forgiven. The Lord's portion is always slain; the devil's part, (for he is the master of those men, which is the meaning of Barabbas,) when freed, is cast headlong into hell.

   Everything gathered on Mark 15:7–15→

   Verse page →Original language →

3. Luke 23:18–25

   But they all cried out in unison: “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!”

   ›Commentary on Luke 23:18–252 voices

   “Not unreasonably do they seek the pardon of a murderer, who were themselves demanding the death of the innocent. Such are the laws of iniquity, that what innocence hates, guilt loves. And here the interpretation of the name affords a figurative resemblance, for Barabbas is in Latin, the son of a father. Those then to whom it is said, Ye are of your father the Devil, are represented as about to prefer to the true Son of God the son of their father, that is, Antichrist.

   “Similarly, I think that this is a prototype of all judgments that they would condemn those whom they believed to be innocent. However, it is evident that the Gentiles are more tolerant than the Jews, as Pilate's association with them demonstrates, and they are more persuaded by divine works.

   Everything gathered on Luke 23:18–25→

   Verse page →Original language →

4. John 18:40

   “Not this man,” they shouted, “but Barabbas!” (Now Barabbas was an insurrectionist.)

   ›Commentary on John 18:402 voices

   “Herein also the Jews show themselves indeed lawbreakers, and more inclined to give way to their own inclinations than to honour their ancient commandments; for though the Mosaic Law ordered that a man who had committed involuntary homicide should be released, and not a man like Barabbas (for how could such a thing be?), they prefer to ask for a notorious robber.

   “Then cried they all again,.... For it seems that Pilate had made this proposal once before, and that this was the second time, though not mentioned; yet some copies, and the Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions, leave out the word "again": they all, priests and people, in a very clamorous manner, cried out as one man, with one united voice, all at once; saying, not this man, but Barabbas; now Barabbas was a robber; who was an emblem of God's elect in a state of nature, released and set free when Christ was condemned.

   Everything gathered on John 18:40→

   Verse page →Original language →

5. Acts 3:14

   You rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.

   ›Commentary on Acts 3:142 voices

   “And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas to them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

   “But ye denied the Holy One, and the just,.... Who is "holy" both in his divine and human nature, and the fountain of holiness to his people; see Psa 16:10 and who is "just" or "righteous", both in his person, and in the discharge of his office, and has wrought a righteousness for his people, which is imputed to them.

   Everything gathered on Acts 3:14→

   Verse page →Original language →