John 18:40

Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

Then {G3767} cried they {G2905} all {G3956} again {G3825}, saying {G3004}, Not {G3361} this man {G5126}, but {G235} Barabbas {G912}. Now {G1161} Barabbas {G912} was {G2258} a robber {G3027}.

But they yelled back, β€œNo, not this man but Bar-Abba!” (Bar-Abba was a revolutionary.)

β€œNot this man,” they shouted, β€œbut Barabbas!” (Now Barabbas was an insurrectionist.)

They cried out therefore again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

Commentary

John 18:40 presents a pivotal moment in the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate, showcasing the stark contrast between the world's choice and God's divine plan.

Context

This verse immediately follows Pilate's offer to the Jewish crowd, a custom observed during the Passover feast, to release one prisoner. Pilate, finding no fault in Jesus (John 18:38), attempts to release Him. However, influenced by the chief priests and elders (as noted in Matthew 27:20), the crowd vehemently demands the release of Barabbas instead. This scene highlights the escalating tension and the deep-seated animosity towards Jesus from certain segments of the Jewish leadership and populace.

Key Themes

  • The Rejection of Christ: The crowd's unified cry to release Barabbas over Jesus signifies a profound rejection of God's Son, choosing a known criminal over the innocent Savior. This act foreshadows the world's ongoing struggle with accepting divine truth.
  • The World's Choice: Barabbas represents the antithesis of Jesus. While Jesus offered spiritual freedom and eternal life, Barabbas was a symbol of earthly rebellion and lawlessness. The choice reveals humanity's fallen tendency to prefer the temporal and the self-serving over the eternal and the righteous.
  • Ironic Exchange: There is immense irony in the innocent Christ being condemned and the guilty Barabbas being set free. This exchange, however, providentially prefigures the core of the Gospel message: Christ, the sinless one, takes the place of sinners, enduring the penalty we deserved, so that we might be set free (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Linguistic Insights

The name Barabbas is Aramaic, meaning "son of the father" (Bar Abba). This carries a poignant irony, as the crowd chose "the son of the father" who was a criminal over Jesus, the true Son of the Father, who was innocent. The KJV translates Barabbas as a "robber," from the Greek word lestes (ληστὡς). This term often describes more than just a common thief; it can refer to a brigand, an insurgent, or a revolutionary, suggesting Barabbas was involved in violent acts or political insurrection. This contrasts sharply with Jesus, who was accused of sedition but came to establish a spiritual kingdom, not an earthly one (John 18:36).

Practical Application

John 18:40 serves as a powerful reminder of the choices we face daily. Like the crowd, we are often presented with a choice between following Christ and yielding to the "Barabbas" of our own sinful desires, worldly pressures, or false ideologies. This verse challenges us to examine our own hearts: Whom do we truly desire to be set free? Do we embrace the liberating truth of Jesus Christ, or do we prefer the momentary freedom offered by earthly pursuits that ultimately lead to bondage? The story underscores God's sovereign plan, even amidst human sin and rebellion, to accomplish His ultimate purpose of salvation through the sacrifice of His Son.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 3:13

    The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let [him] go.

  • Acts 3:14

    But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

  • Matthew 27:26

    ΒΆ Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered [him] to be crucified.

  • Matthew 27:16

    And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

  • Mark 15:7

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

  • Luke 23:18

    And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this [man], and release unto us Barabbas:

  • Luke 23:19

    (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)
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