JOHN 18:39–40
“NOT THIS MAN, BUT BARABBAS!”: THE CHOICE AGAINST TRUTH
BRIEF INTERPRETATION
Text – John 18:39–40
39 “But you have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at Passover. Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
40 They cried out again, “Not this one but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.
Historical and Jewish Context
The Passover custom of releasing a prisoner symbolized liberation and mercy, recalling Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Barabbas is identified as a revolutionary, likely involved in insurrection against Roman authority. In first-century Judea, such figures were sometimes viewed as freedom fighters. The crowd’s choice reveals prevailing messianic expectations: a violent liberator was preferred over a king who spoke of truth, love, and a kingdom not of this world. Ironically, at the feast celebrating freedom, the people reject the one who brings true liberation.
Catholic Theological Perspective
This passage exposes the tragic human tendency to choose false freedom over redemptive truth. Catholic theology sees in Barabbas a powerful symbol of substitution: the guilty goes free while the innocent is condemned. Christ takes the place of the sinner, fulfilling the mystery of atonement. The crowd’s rejection of Jesus underscores how sin blinds humanity to God’s gift when salvation does not align with worldly desires. Yet even this rejection becomes part of God’s saving plan.
Parallels in Scripture
Isaiah 53:5–6 – The innocent suffering for the guilty.
Leviticus 16:20–22 – The scapegoat bearing the people’s sins.
Luke 23:18–19 – Barabbas released instead of Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:21 – Christ made sin for us.
Romans 5:6–8 – Christ dying for sinners.
Key Terms
Passover – Feast of liberation.
Release – Misunderstood freedom.
Barabbas – False savior chosen.
King of the Jews – Rejected true King.
Revolutionary – Violence mistaken for salvation.
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This passage is proclaimed on Good Friday. The Church reflects on the mystery of substitution and the cost of salvation, inviting the faithful to recognize Christ as the true liberator who takes the place of sinners.
Conclusion
John 18:39–40 presents a stark choice between truth and false security. The crowd chooses Barabbas, rejecting the innocent King. Yet through this unjust exchange, Christ begins the final path of redemption, offering true freedom through His sacrifice.
Reflection
Do I ever choose comfort or power over truth?
What false “Barabbas” tempts me to reject Christ?
How do I respond to the freedom Christ offers?
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, innocent Lamb, You took my place and bore my guilt. Free me from false choices and open my heart to Your truth. Help me to choose You always as my true King and Savior. Amen.
DETAILED INTERPRETATION
John 18:39 “But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?”
In this verse, Pilate, the Roman governor, addresses the Jewish crowd, referencing a Passover tradition of releasing a prisoner. He offers them a choice to free Jesus, whom he mockingly titles “the King of the Jews.” Pilate’s use of this title, laced with irony, reveals his misunderstanding of Jesus’ true kingship, presenting Jesus as a political leader rather than the divine Son of God. Hoping the crowd would accept Jesus’ release as a harmless concession, Pilate misjudges their intentions, and the people ultimately choose Barabbas, a revolutionary, over Jesus. This choice foreshadows Jesus’ rejection by His people and the sacrifice He will soon make.
Historical and Jewish Background
The Jewish Passover celebrates Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian slavery, rooted in the Exodus story. This festival was a time when the people commemorated liberation and longed for freedom from foreign rule. By Jesus’ time, Passover had become a season charged with nationalistic sentiments and the desire for independence from Rome. To pacify the Jewish populace, the Romans sometimes released prisoners as an act of clemency during major Jewish festivals, like Passover.
The crowd’s choice between Jesus and Barabbas represents a deeper decision for the people. Barabbas was likely a zealot, a revolutionary who fought against Roman occupation, embodying the kind of political Messiah the Jews anticipated. Jesus, on the other hand, preached a kingdom based on love, forgiveness, and inner transformation, pointing to spiritual freedom rather than political liberation. This moment signifies the broader rejection of Jesus by those who could not recognize a Messiah whose kingdom existed not in political force, but in the hearts of those who believed.
Catholic Teaching and Terms
This moment in the Gospels reveals both the depth of Christ’s mission and the nature of human redemption in Catholic teaching. Jesus willingly faces rejection and death to fulfill the salvation of humanity, embodying self-sacrifice and unconditional love. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that Jesus’ acceptance of His Passion and Crucifixion is an act of love and obedience, a path He embraces to redeem humanity from sin and reconcile us with God (CCC 606-618).
Key Terms:
– Passover: For the Jewish people, Passover symbolizes God’s covenant and deliverance from slavery, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, the “Lamb of God” (Jn 1:29).
– Barabbas: His name means “son of the father,” adding irony, as the crowd rejects Jesus, the true Son of God, in favor of a human “savior” associated with violence.
– Redemption: Catholic teaching emphasizes that through His sacrificial death, Jesus redeems humanity, bearing the weight of our sins and offering salvation (CCC 613-614).
Present Application
The choice between Jesus and Barabbas mirrors the choices we face daily between God’s path of love and worldly pursuits of power or self-interest. Like the crowd, we may be tempted by solutions or ideologies that align with our desires for quick results, comfort, or control rather than trusting in God’s transformative, patient path.
As Christians, we are challenged to choose Jesus and His way of humility and love, even when society pressures us to compromise. This passage calls us to examine our own loyalties and asks if we are willing to align ourselves with Jesus, who promises eternal life but demands a life of integrity, sacrifice, and trust in God.
Reflection
This passage invites us to reflect on our own choices. How often do we, like the crowd, choose the easier, more popular path over the one that requires self-giving and faithfulness to God’s calling? The crowd’s decision to free Barabbas instead of Jesus reminds us that true freedom is not in achieving earthly power but in embracing the love and peace that Jesus offers.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You faced rejection and suffering out of love for us. Help us to recognize the depth of Your sacrifice and to choose You above all else. When faced with difficult choices, give us the courage to follow Your way of love and humility, even if it means going against what is popular or easy. May we seek not worldly power but the peace and freedom that come from faithfulness to You. Amen.
John 18:40 “They cried out again, ‘Not this one but Barabbas!’ Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.”
In this verse, we encounter a pivotal moment in the Passion narrative. The crowd, influenced by the religious leaders, rejects Jesus and demands the release of Barabbas, a known insurrectionist and criminal. Their choice carries deep symbolic meaning, as they opt for a figure representing rebellion and earthly power over Jesus, who embodies spiritual freedom and peace. This choice serves as a stark illustration of humanity’s frequent inclination to seek immediate, worldly solutions over the transformative, spiritual path offered by Christ.
Barabbas represents a type of hero that aligned with the expectations of some Jews for a political Messiah who would free Israel from Roman oppression. Jesus, however, presented a different kind of liberation – freedom from sin and reconciliation with God. By choosing Barabbas, the crowd demonstrates a misunderstanding of Jesus’ mission, prioritizing temporary power and political ideals over the eternal salvation Jesus brings.
Historical and Jewish Background
In the Jewish context, the anticipation of a Messiah was often linked with the hope of a military leader, a descendant of King David, who would restore Israel’s independence. Given the long history of oppression by foreign powers, many Jews looked for a figure who would lead them in an earthly struggle for freedom. Barabbas, described as a “bandit” or revolutionary, likely embodied this aspiration, positioning him as a relatable figure to those who sought immediate political liberation.
The tradition of releasing a prisoner during Passover further highlights the crowd’s choice. Passover itself commemorated the Israelites’ liberation from Egyptian bondage, making the decision between Jesus and Barabbas even more symbolic. Barabbas personifies a worldly freedom through violence, whereas Jesus offers a divine freedom rooted in love and forgiveness, pointing to a higher kingdom that transcends earthly realms.
Catholic Teaching and Terms
The Catholic Church views the crowd’s choice as an example of humanity’s tendency to reject God’s will in favor of more immediately gratifying, yet ultimately hollow, solutions. Jesus’ acceptance of His rejection by the people is seen as part of His redemptive journey, illustrating His commitment to humanity’s salvation despite the personal cost.
Key Terms:
– Barabbas: His name, meaning “son of the father” in Aramaic, adds a layer of irony, as the crowd rejects the true Son of God in favor of a man with a similar title but contrasting values. Barabbas thus represents the human tendency to embrace worldly power over divine truth.
– Insurrectionist/Bandit: Barabbas is often portrayed as a zealot involved in political violence against Rome, symbolizing the desire for an earthly savior. His release stands in contrast to Jesus’ mission of inner transformation and spiritual freedom.
– Redemption: Catholic teaching emphasizes that Jesus’ suffering and death redeem humanity, freeing us from sin. Jesus’ rejection by His people becomes part of this redemptive act, demonstrating His love for a fallen humanity (CCC 613-617).
Present Application
The choice between Jesus and Barabbas speaks to modern-day decisions. Daily, we face the same tension between the allure of immediate, self-serving solutions and the lasting but often challenging path Jesus offers. Like the crowd, we may sometimes lean toward “Barabbas” choices – options that provide a quick fix, align with popular opinion, or promise worldly gain. However, these choices can distract us from the greater, eternal freedom Jesus offers, which requires patience, faith, and self-sacrifice.
As Christians, we are called to prioritize Christ’s teachings and trust in His promises, even when they lead us against the current of societal expectations. This passage challenges us to examine our choices and reminds us that the path of Christ, though often difficult, leads to true freedom and peace.
Reflection
The crowd’s decision to release Barabbas over Jesus invites us to reflect on our own choices. Are we swayed by immediate gratification, or do we trust in the lasting fulfillment Jesus offers? Are there times when we compromise our values for convenience or acceptance? This moment calls us to realign with Jesus, embracing His way of love and humility over the temptations of worldly power and success.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You accepted rejection and suffering to fulfill the will of the Father and to bring us salvation. Help us to see beyond the allure of worldly promises and to choose You in all things. Strengthen us to be faithful witnesses of Your love and to trust in Your eternal promises. May we find courage in following Your path, even when it is difficult or unpopular. Amen.
CONCLUSION
The trial of Jesus before Pilate, as recounted in John 18, brings into sharp focus the contrast between earthly authority and divine sovereignty. Pilate’s struggle to comprehend the truth and the crowd’s choice to release Barabbas reveal humanity’s recurring temptation to seek immediate, worldly solutions over divine, eternal freedom. Jesus’ response to His accusers – marked by silence, humility, and unwavering resolve – highlights His role as the true King who reigns in a kingdom not of this world. This scene, filled with irony and spiritual insight, calls each of us to examine the ways we prioritize values and make choices in our own lives, especially when faced with the pressures of worldly power and popularity.
In our own journeys, we, too, are invited to stand alongside Christ, who testifies to a truth that transcends political and social constructs. Reflecting on this passage, we recognize that following Jesus means embracing a kingdom where love, mercy, and sacrifice surpass the temporary allure of power and prestige. Through His trial and eventual crucifixion, Jesus offers the ultimate example of faithfulness to God’s plan, revealing a pathway to true justice and salvation. May we respond to His call with courage, allowing His love to shape our actions and trusting in the eternal peace found in His kingdom.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, You stood in humility and truth before the powers of this world, bearing witness to God’s eternal love and justice. Help us to choose Your way over the temptations of worldly power and immediate gain. Grant us the strength to live in integrity, humility, and love, embracing the truth of Your kingdom in all we do. May we remain faithful to Your teachings and courageously bear witness to Your love, so that we may one day join You in Your kingdom of everlasting peace. Amen.