Matthew 27:21

Matthew 27:21 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' trial before Pontius Pilate, illustrating the stark contrast between divine innocence and human injustice. This verse is part of the dramatic sequence leading to Jesus' crucifixion, where the crowd's choice seals His fate.

Context

Following Jesus' arrest and trials before the Jewish religious leaders, He was brought before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate, finding no fault in Jesus, sought to release Him. It was a custom during the Passover feast for the governor to release one prisoner to the crowd, a practice mentioned in Matthew 27:15. Pilate presented the crowd with a choice between Jesus, whom he knew was innocent and delivered out of envy (Matthew 27:18), and Barabbas, a notorious prisoner described as a robber and murderer (John 18:40, Mark 15:7). The chief priests and elders had successfully incited the crowd to demand Barabbas's release and Jesus' crucifixion.

Key Themes

• The Crowd's Rejection of Truth: The verse highlights the tragic decision of the Jewish crowd, swayed by their leaders, to reject the Messiah and choose a criminal. This act underscores humanity's propensity to choose darkness over light, as seen in John 3:19.
• Divine Sovereignty Amidst Injustice: Despite the profound injustice and human sinfulness displayed, this event was part of God's predetermined plan for salvation. Jesus' willingness to become a substitute for Barabbas—and for all humanity—demonstrates the depth of God's love and the necessity of His sacrifice.
• The Symbolism of Barabbas: Barabbas, whose name means "son of the father," was a rebel and a murderer. His release in place of Jesus, the true Son of the Father, symbolizes how Christ takes the place of sinful humanity, bearing the punishment we deserve.

Linguistic Insights

The name Barabbas (Greek: Barabbas, from Aramaic Bar Abba) literally means "son of the father." This is a significant point of contrast with Jesus, who is uniquely "the Son of the Father." The crowd's choice was effectively between the son of a human father (a criminal) and the Son of God (the Savior), highlighting the spiritual blindness at play.

Practical Application

Matthew 27:21 serves as a powerful reminder of the choices we face in life. Just as the crowd had to choose between Jesus and Barabbas, each individual is confronted with a decision: to accept Christ as Lord and Savior or to reject Him in favor of worldly desires or self-righteousness. This verse challenges us to consider:

• Are we easily swayed by popular opinion or do we stand firm in truth?
• Do we recognize the true value of Christ's sacrifice, where He took our place, just as He took Barabbas's place?
• What "Barabbas" might we be choosing over Christ in our own lives today?

The profound act of injustice depicted here ultimately paved the way for the redemption of all who believe, making this moment a crucial step in God's plan for humanity's salvation.