Who is Barabbas in this passage and what had he done?

Barabbas is a prisoner being held at the same time as Jesus. The passage says he was bound with others who had taken part in an insurrection, which means a violent uprising against the authorities. During that unrest, murder had been committed. Barabbas was closely tied to this rebellion and is described elsewhere as a murderer. So you have a man involved in violence and bloodshed being set against Jesus, who has done no wrong. The crowd is asked to choose which prisoner should be released, and Barabbas becomes the one they demand.

What was the Passover custom of releasing a prisoner to the people?

At the time of this feast, the Roman governor had a custom of releasing one prisoner that the people asked for. It was a way to please the crowd during the Passover celebration. The passage says Pilate had done this before and the people expected him to do it again. They began to ask him to act just as he usually did for them. This custom is what gives Pilate the idea to offer Jesus’ release. He assumes that, given the choice, the people will ask for Jesus rather than a known rebel and murderer like Barabbas.

Why did Pilate offer to release Jesus, the so-called King of the Jews?

Pilate offers to release Jesus because he can see what is really going on. The passage says he knew the chief priests had handed Jesus over out of envy, not because of any real crime. Jesus had gained a strong reputation among the people through his teaching and works, and this had stirred jealousy in the leaders. Pilate hopes that by appealing to the crowd with Jesus’ title, “the King of the Jews,” they will choose Jesus over Barabbas. In doing this, he is trying to free a man he believes to be innocent without directly opposing the religious leaders.

Why did the chief priests persuade the crowd to choose Barabbas instead of Jesus?

The chief priests had already decided they wanted Jesus put to death. The passage says they had delivered him up because of envy. When Pilate offers to release Jesus, they see that their plan is in danger. So they actively move among the people and stir them up to ask for Barabbas instead. They do not rest until the crowd is shouting for the release of a rebel and murderer, rather than the release of Jesus. This shows how determined they are to get rid of him, even if it means asking for a dangerous man to be set free in his place.

What does it mean that Jesus was handed over to Pilate out of envy?

Saying Jesus was handed over out of envy means the religious leaders were jealous of him. They saw the attention he received, the respect he had from many people, and the power of his teaching and works. Instead of rejoicing in the good being done, they felt threatened and overshadowed. So their hearts were moved, not by love for God or justice, but by resentment. This is why they bring him to Pilate. The passage is clear that it was not because Jesus was guilty of real crimes, but because the leaders could not bear the honor and influence he had among the people.

How does this passage show the power of crowd pressure and influence?

In this scene the crowd does not act on careful thought, but is swayed by the voices of the chief priests. At first, there is no sign they are set on Barabbas, they simply ask Pilate to keep his usual custom. But once the leaders start working on them, the whole mood shifts. The people end up choosing a violent man over an innocent one. Pilate himself seems surprised at their choice. This shows how quickly a group can be turned when strong voices guide them, and how easily justice can be pushed aside when people follow pressure instead of what is right.

What was happening in the larger story when Pilate offered Barabbas or Jesus?

This moment comes in the middle of Jesus’ trial before the Roman governor. The religious leaders have already questioned Jesus and decided he should die. Since they are under Roman rule, they bring him to Pilate to get a death sentence. Pilate questions Jesus and finds no real charge against him. Looking for a way to release him without starting a riot, he uses the Passover custom of freeing a prisoner. He sets Jesus against Barabbas, expecting the choice to be clear. Instead, because of the pressure from the chief priests, the crowd chooses Barabbas, and Jesus’ path to the cross moves forward.

What does this passage teach about human sin and injustice?

This passage shows how sin twists justice. An innocent man is on trial while a known rebel and murderer is also in chains. The leaders who should care about truth are driven by envy. The crowd follows their lead instead of asking what is right. The ruler, who sees the innocence of Jesus, still plays along with a broken system. In all of this, wrong is chosen over right. It reminds us how easily people can trade justice for selfish motives, fear, or pressure, and how even legal customs can be used to cover deep injustice.

Mark.15.6

Mark 15:6

KJV

Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

6 Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.

And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.

And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.

But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.

But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.