The Choice of Barabbas: A Reflection on the Power of Decision
"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. And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify him. Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified." - Mark 15:6-15
As we delve into the verses of Mark 15:6-15, we arrive at a crucial moment in the Passion narrative, one that reverberates through the corridors of time and echoes in our own lives. The passage reads:
"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. And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify him. Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified." (Mark 15:6-15, KJV)
This scripture encapsulates the poignant and distressing choice forced upon the crowd: a notorious criminal, Barabbas, a man who had incited riots and committed murder, contrasted with Jesus, the innocent, sinless Son of God. The act of choosing Barabbas over Jesus is not merely a historical event; it symbolizes the fundamental choices we make in our own lives every day. It highlights the tension between the desires of the flesh and the values of the Spirit.
Imagine the scene: Pilate, trying to gauge the mood of the crowd, presents them with a dilemma. He acknowledges the innocence of Jesus yet is confronted by the shouts of a crowd stirred up by the chief priests. Here we witness the human heart's inclination toward chaos as Barabbas became a symbol of rebellion. His freedom was sought not because he was innocent but because he represented a misguided hope for political liberation.
In reflecting on their choice, we must ask ourselves: how often do we choose the Barabbases in our lives? How frequently do we opt for the familiar sins or the comforts of this world over the challenging but redemptive call of Christ? Barabbas represents the choices that come with the rebellion against God—those fleeting moments where the allure of a sinful lifestyle beckons louder than the quiet whisper of Christ inviting us to a deeper relationship with Him.
Jesus, the King of the Jews, faced this moment with grace, knowing that His path led to sacrifice and a mission far greater than human understanding could grasp. The crowd's cry for crucifixion is a powerful reminder of how popular opinion can sway us, how we can be caught up in the fervor of society, pushing aside the truth of who Jesus is.
Consider Pilate’s predicament, a leader caught in the crossfire of public opinion and divine purpose. His fear of losing favor with the people led him to submit to their demands, highlighting a grave concept we face in our daily lives: the fear of standing alone for truth among the clamor of a loud crowd. How often do we prioritize societal acceptance over the acknowledgment of Jesus' righteousness? In our workplaces, communities, and even our own families, we may feel pressure to conform, resembling Pilate who chose comfort over confrontation with sin.
As we come to the crux of these scriptures, the resolution of Pilate is clear: he chose to appease the cries of the people. Yet, the release of Barabbas at such a significant moment bears witness not only to the reality of human choice but also to the grace given through Christ’s sacrifice. While Barabbas was released, it was Jesus who took the punishment he deserved—a profound demonstration of injustice that brings about divine grace.
As we reflect upon the choice between Barabbas and Jesus, let us choose to seek Jesus daily. Let us not be swayed by the voices around us. May we embrace the challenging path of faith that leads to life and truth, recognizing that ultimately, Jesus’ crucifixion was the key to our freedom, our restoration, and our salvation—far sweeter than the fleeting pleasures of this world.
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Mark 15:6-15 Artwork
Mark 15:6-15 - "Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” And Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified."
"Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” And Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified." - Mark 15:6-15
Mark 6:15 - "Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets."
Mark 15:6 - "Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired."
"Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets." - Mark 6:15
Mark 15:12
"Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired." - Mark 15:6
Mark 15:25 - "And it was the third hour, and they crucified him."
Mark 15:13 - "And they cried out again, Crucify him."
Mark 15:15 - "¶ And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified."
Mark 15:18 - "And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!"
Mark 15:30 - "Save thyself, and come down from the cross."
Mark 15:28 - "And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors."
Mark 3:15 - "And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:"
Mark 15:5 - "But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled."
Mark 15:47 - "And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid."
Mark 15:26 - "And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS."
Mark 15:38 - "And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom."
Mark 15:37 - "And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost."
Mark 15:45 - "And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph."
Mark 15:23 - "And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not."
Acts 15:37 - "And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark."
Mark 15:10 - "For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy."
Mark 15:3 - "And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing."
"And it was the third hour, and they crucified him." - Mark 15:25
Mark 15:42 - "¶ And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,"
Mark 15:22 - "And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull."
Mark 1:15 - "And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
Mark 15:35 - "And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias."
Mark 15:17 - "And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,"