John 18:40

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But they yelled back, “No, not this man but Bar-Abba!” (Bar-Abba was a revolutionary.)

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 18:40 captures the dramatic and pivotal moment in Jesus' trial before Pontius Pilate, where the Jewish crowd, incited by their leaders, vehemently rejects the innocent Jesus in favor of Barabbas, a known insurrectionist and criminal. This choice, made under the custom of releasing a prisoner at Passover, starkly illustrates humanity's fallen tendency to prefer earthly rebellion and self-serving desires over divine truth and the path to true spiritual freedom, inadvertently setting the stage for God's sovereign plan of substitutionary atonement.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the culmination of Pilate's initial attempts to release Jesus, whom he has declared innocent of any capital crime after questioning Him about His kingship ([John 18:33-38](/john/18-33-38 "John 18:33-38 - Pilate's Interrogation of Jesus")). Pilate, seeking to appease the Jewish authorities and the crowd, introduces the custom of releasing a prisoner at Passover, hoping they would choose Jesus. The immediate preceding verse, [John 18:39](/john/18-39 "John 18:39 - Pilate's Offer to Release Jesus"), explicitly states Pilate's offer: "But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the Passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?" The crowd's unified and emphatic response in [John 18:40](/john/18-40 "John 18:40 - The Crowd Chooses Barabbas") directly follows, revealing their deep-seated animosity and the manipulation by their leaders.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The practice of releasing a prisoner at Passover was likely a Roman concession to Jewish sensibilities, possibly intended to foster goodwill during a significant religious festival when Jerusalem was crowded and tensions could easily escalate. While not explicitly mentioned in other historical sources, the Gospels consistently record this custom. Passover itself was a celebration of liberation from Egyptian bondage, adding a layer of profound irony to the crowd's choice to free a political rebel (Barabbas) rather than the one who offered true spiritual liberation. Barabbas, described as a "robber" (Greek: _lēistḗs_), was likely more than a common thief; the term often referred to a brigand, an insurgent, or a revolutionary involved in violent acts against Roman rule, making him a popular figure among those desiring political freedom from Rome. The chief priests and elders, as noted in [Matthew 27:20](/matthew/27-20 "Matthew 27:20 - The Chief Priests Incite the Crowd"), played a crucial role in inciting the crowd to demand Barabbas's release.
* **Key Themes:** The choice presented in [John 18:40](/john/18-40 "John 18:40 - The Crowd's Choice of Barabbas") underscores several profound themes. Firstly, it highlights the **Rejection of Christ** by a significant segment of the Jewish populace and leadership. Despite Jesus's miracles and teachings, and Pilate's declaration of His innocence, the crowd's unified cry 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 and the Messiah. Secondly, it reveals **The World's Choice**, contrasting the spiritual freedom offered by Jesus with the temporal, often violent, freedom represented by Barabbas. While Jesus came to establish a spiritual kingdom not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom is Not of This World")), Barabbas symbolized earthly rebellion and lawlessness, appealing to a desire for immediate, tangible liberation. This choice exposes humanity's fallen tendency to prefer the temporal and self-serving over the eternal and righteous. Finally, there is immense **Ironic Exchange** 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](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **cried (Greek, _kraugázō'_):** This word (G2905) means "to clamor" or "to cry out." It denotes a loud, often tumultuous, and insistent shouting, indicating the fervent and unified nature of the crowd's demand. It's not a mere suggestion but an impassioned, perhaps even violent, outcry, reflecting the intensity of their desire and the influence of the instigators.
* **but (Greek, _allá'_):** This particle (G235) functions as an adversative conjunction, meaning "contrariwise" or "on the contrary." It introduces a strong contrast or opposition. In this context, it sharply juxtaposes "this man" (Jesus) with "Barabbas," emphasizing the crowd's deliberate and decisive rejection of Jesus in favor of the other prisoner. It highlights the starkness of the choice presented and made.
* **robber (Greek, _lēistḗs'_):** This term (G3027) refers to a "brigand" or "bandit," often implying someone involved in violent acts, insurrection, or political rebellion, rather than merely a common thief. The Synoptic Gospels (e.g., [Mark 15:7](/mark/15-7 "Mark 15:7 - Barabbas, the Insurrectionist")) clarify that Barabbas was imprisoned for insurrection and murder. This detail is crucial, as it underscores the crowd's preference for a violent revolutionary over the Prince of Peace, further highlighting the spiritual blindness and political motivations at play.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then cried they all again, saying":** This phrase emphasizes the collective, unified, and repeated nature of the crowd's demand. The word "again" (Greek: _pálin_) suggests a renewed or intensified clamor, indicating their unwavering resolve and the escalating tension in the scene. Their voices merge into a single, powerful rejection.
* **"Not this man, but Barabbas":** This is the core of their demand, a direct and unequivocal rejection of Jesus. "This man" refers to Jesus, whom Pilate had just presented as innocent and potentially worthy of release. The choice of "Barabbas" is a deliberate act of choosing a known criminal and insurrectionist over the one who claimed to be the King of Truth, revealing a profound spiritual and moral blindness, possibly fueled by political aspirations or the manipulation of the religious leaders.
* **"Now Barabbas was a robber":** This explanatory clause, added by the Gospel writer, serves to highlight the shocking nature of the crowd's choice. By identifying Barabbas as a "robber" (a brigand or revolutionary), John underscores the profound irony and the moral perversion of the crowd's decision. They chose a violent criminal over the innocent Son of God, a choice that would have eternal ramifications.

#### Literary Devices
John 18:40 is rich with **Irony**. The crowd, celebrating Passover—a festival commemorating liberation from oppression—chooses to free a political insurgent while condemning the true liberator, Jesus, who offers freedom from sin and death. This is compounded by the meaning of Barabbas's name ("son of the father"), creating a tragic **Contrast** between the "son of the father" (Barabbas, a criminal) and the true Son of the Father (Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God). The scene also employs powerful **Symbolism**. Barabbas symbolizes humanity's preference for earthly, often violent, solutions and self-serving desires, while Jesus embodies divine truth, sacrificial love, and spiritual freedom. The crowd's choice serves as a **Foreshadowing** of the broader rejection of Christ by the world, but also, paradoxically, of the substitutionary atonement where the innocent one suffers for the guilty. The collective "cried they all again" emphasizes the **Mob Mentality** and the power of collective irrationality, swayed by external influence rather than reason or justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The rejection of Jesus in favor of Barabbas in John 18:40 is a profound theological statement on human depravity and divine sovereignty. It illustrates humanity's inherent preference for rebellion and self-will over God's righteous rule and redemptive plan. The crowd's choice, though a heinous act of injustice, paradoxically aligns with God's preordained plan for salvation. It highlights the principle of substitutionary atonement, where the innocent Lamb of God, Jesus, takes the place of the guilty, represented by Barabbas and, by extension, all humanity. This event is not merely a historical injustice but a divinely orchestrated moment revealing the depth of human sin and the even greater depth of God's love and grace in providing a substitute.

* [Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5-6 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - The Suffering Servant")
* [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")
* [1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 18:40 serves as a stark mirror reflecting the choices we face in our own lives. Just as the crowd was presented with a choice between Jesus and Barabbas, we are continually confronted with decisions that reveal whom we truly desire to be set free in our hearts. Do we choose the liberating truth and transformative power of Jesus Christ, or do we prefer the "Barabbas" of our own sinful desires, worldly ambitions, fleeting pleasures, or false ideologies that promise freedom but ultimately lead to bondage? This verse challenges us to examine our allegiances: Are we swayed by the clamor of the world, popular opinion, or our own fallen nature, or do we humbly submit to the Lordship of Christ? It reminds us that embracing Jesus means rejecting the "robber" within us—the self-serving, rebellious spirit that seeks to usurp God's rightful place. The story underscores God's sovereign plan, even amidst human sin and rebellion, to accomplish His ultimate purpose of salvation through the willing sacrifice of His Son, inviting us to respond with faith and obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to choose "Barabbas" (my own desires, worldly values, or false securities) over "Jesus" (God's will, truth, and righteousness)?**
* **How does the crowd's choice in John 18:40 challenge my understanding of justice and mercy?**
* **What does this passage reveal about the nature of human sin and the necessity of Christ's substitutionary sacrifice for my own life?**

### FAQ

**Why did the crowd choose Barabbas over Jesus?**

Answer: The crowd's choice was influenced by several factors. The chief priests and elders actively incited them, as noted in [Matthew 27:20](/matthew/27-20 "Matthew 27:20 - The Chief Priests Incite the Crowd"), likely due to their jealousy of Jesus's popularity and their opposition to His spiritual claims. Barabbas, as a "robber" or brigand, was likely a figure involved in political insurrection against Roman rule, making him a hero to those who desired immediate, earthly liberation from oppression. The crowd, perhaps misunderstanding Jesus's spiritual kingdom as a political one, preferred a tangible revolutionary over a Messiah who spoke of truth and a kingdom "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom is Not of This World")). Their choice reflected a desire for political freedom rather than spiritual redemption.

**What is the significance of Barabbas's name ("son of the father") in this context?**

Answer: The name Barabbas (Aramaic: _Bar Abba_) literally means "son of the father." This carries profound and tragic irony in the context of [John 18:40](/john/18-40 "John 18:40 - The Crowd Chooses Barabbas"). The crowd chose to release "the son of the father" who was a criminal and a rebel, while condemning Jesus, who is the true and only begotten Son of God the Father ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")). This linguistic detail underscores the spiritual blindness of the crowd and highlights the stark contrast between humanity's fallen choice and God's divine provision of His true Son for salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic scene in [John 18:40](/john/18-40 "John 18:40 - The Crowd Chooses Barabbas"), where the crowd chooses Barabbas over Jesus, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the doctrine of substitutionary atonement. Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God, was condemned in the place of Barabbas, the guilty sinner, a powerful foreshadowing of His ultimate sacrifice for all humanity. This event perfectly illustrates the core of the Gospel: "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Just as Barabbas was set free, so too are believers released from the penalty of sin through Christ's vicarious death. Jesus, the true King, willingly laid down His life, not as a political revolutionary, but as the suffering servant prophesied in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"), taking upon Himself the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His condemnation and Barabbas's release perfectly encapsulate the divine exchange at the heart of salvation, where the righteous one suffers for the unrighteous, offering freedom and eternal life to all who believe in Him ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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

¶ 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.)