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Barabbas was a prisoner chosen by the people to be released instead of Jesus. He was known for crimes such as robbery and murder. During the Passover festival, it was customary to release one prisoner, and the people chose to free Barabbas and send Jesus to be crucified. After these events, the Bible does not tell us what happened to Barabbas.
Barabbas is a figure mentioned in all four Gospels of the New Testament. He was a notorious prisoner, accused of crimes such as rebellion against the Roman government, murder, and robbery. Interestingly, his name means “son of the father” in Aramaic: Bar-Abbas, creating a contrast with Jesus, the true Son of the Father.
During the trial of Jesus, the Roman governor Pontius Pilate offered the people the choice to release a prisoner, as was customary during the Passover festival. Pilate found no fault in Jesus, but the people, encouraged by the religious leaders, demanded that Barabbas be released and that Jesus be crucified. Thus, Barabbas, guilty of crimes, was set free, and Jesus, who was innocent, was condemned to death.
The Bible does not recount what happened to Barabbas after his release. His story ends at the moment he is freed. It is unknown whether he changed his life, continued committing crimes, or repented. There is also no reliable biblical or historical information about his death.
The legacy of Barabbas is primarily symbolic. He represents sinful humanity being set free while Jesus, the innocent one, suffers in their place. This contrast reinforces the central message of the gospel: Jesus died for sinners. Barabbas was the first direct beneficiary of Christ’s death, even though he did not deserve it, illustrating the grace of God.
The main lesson of Barabbas’ story is that all of us, like him, are set free by God’s mercy, not by our own merits. The exchange between Jesus and Barabbas reminds us that Christ took our place on the cross, offering forgiveness and salvation to everyone.
Bible Study on Barabbas
The Trial of Jesus and Barabbas
The trial of Jesus and Barabbas is mentioned in all four Gospels of the New Testament (Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 18).
During the Passover festival, it was customary for the Roman governor to release one prisoner chosen by the people. Pontius Pilate, the governor, wanted to release Jesus, as he found no fault in Him (Luke 23:14; John 18:38):
“You brought this man to me as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him.”
- Luke 23:14
However, the religious leaders persuaded the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas, a criminal known for rebellion and murder (Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19):
“A man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder in the insurrection.”
- Mark 15:7
Despite Pilate’s insistence, the crowd shouted, “Crucify him!” (Matthew 27:22-23). Pilate tried to absolve himself of guilt by washing his hands before the crowd and handed Jesus over to be crucified while releasing Barabbas (Matthew 27:24-26).
This episode reveals a profound contrast: Jesus, the innocent, was condemned to death, while Barabbas, the guilty, was set free. This exchange symbolizes the central message of the gospel: Jesus took the place of sinners. The people’s choice of Barabbas highlights the rejection of the Messiah by many, even in the face of the truth.
The story of Barabbas shows how human justice can fail, yet God’s plan of salvation is fulfilled even amidst injustice.
What was Barabbas’ crime?
Barabbas committed rebellion against the Roman government and murder. Mark 15:7 says he had participated in a revolt and committed murder. Luke 23:19 confirms he was imprisoned for sedition (rebellion) and murder. John 18:40 refers to him as an insurrectionist or violent robber.
Barabbas was not just an ordinary criminal but a dangerous man involved in serious crimes against public order. Despite this, the people chose to free Barabbas and condemn Jesus, who was innocent, showing the contrast between human justice and God’s divine plan of salvation.
Did Barabbas convert after being released?
The Bible does not record that Barabbas became a follower of Jesus after being released. None of the Gospels or other New Testament books mention what happened to him after being set free in place of Jesus.
Any information about his conversion has no biblical basis. The silence of Scripture regarding his fate emphasizes the symbolic exchange between a guilty man who is released and an innocent one who is condemned, highlighting Jesus’ sacrifice.
The Death of Barabbas
The Bible does not say how or when Barabbas died. After being released by the people instead of Jesus, his story disappears from Scripture. There is no biblical information about his fate, conversion, or death.
Some traditions and apocryphal writings speculate about his life after his release, but nothing is confirmed or considered official by the Bible. Barabbas represents all sinners who were set free through Christ’s death, but his ultimate fate remains a mystery.
Lessons from the Story of Barabbas
The story of Barabbas, though brief, carries important lessons about grace, justice, and human nature. He was a notorious criminal, guilty of rebellion, murder, and robbery. Yet he was released while Jesus, completely innocent, was condemned to death. This exchange was not just a judicial error but a powerful symbol of what Jesus came to do: take the place of sinners.
The first lesson is about God’s grace. Barabbas was set free, not because he deserved it, but because Jesus took his place. This represents the salvation offered to all of us, not by our own merits, but by Christ’s sacrifice.
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
—Isaiah 53:5
The second lesson is about human choice. The people chose to release a criminal instead of welcoming the Savior. This warns us about how decisions can be influenced by fear, manipulation, and a lack of spiritual discernment.
Barabbas had a direct encounter with the consequences of redemption. He was freed because of Jesus’ death. The Bible does not say what he did with that opportunity, but it prompts us to reflect: what are we doing with ours?
The story of Barabbas teaches us that we are all like him: guilty, yet given the chance to be set free through Jesus Christ.
Lessons we can learn from Barabbas’ story:
- Salvation comes by God’s grace, not by merit.
- Poor decisions can result from pressure and spiritual blindness.
- Everyone has the opportunity to live differently after encountering grace.
- We are all like Barabbas before God: sinners.
See also: