Barabbas I. Questions A. Who was Barabbas, and what did he represent? B. What choice was Israel making when they saved Barabbas and condemned Jesus? C. How is that choice continually before us? II. Introduction A. Matthew 27:17-24 / Mark 15:6-15 / Luke 23:18-20 / John 18:39-40 B. Jesus was destined for a cross...Jesus Barabbas! 1. Accused of insurrection and murder 2. His associates were probably the ones crucified next to Jesus (cf. Luke 23:39-43) C. Yet this Jesus would go free, and Jesus of Nazareth would be crucified instead D. The custom of releasing a prisoner at the Passover, Pilate suggesting Jesus of Nazareth should be released, but the Jewish authorities instigating the people to request Jesus Barabbas instead is presented in all four Gospels, a moment during Jesus' passion, often easily passed over E. Yet this is a powerful, decisive moment; the point at which the Israelites made their choice, and one which would reach its determined end forty years later F. Who is Barabbas, and why was this seemingly mundane choice so pivotal? III. Barabbas A. All we know about Jesus Barabbas comes from Matthew 27:17-24 / Mark 15:6-15 / Luke 23:18-20 / John 18:39-40 B. He is defined as a lestai 1. Many versions translate lestai as "robber," and the word does have that meaning at times 2. This has led many to consider Barabbas to be some kind of common thief, not much to write home about 3. But there are good reasons to be skeptical about Barabbas being a mere "robber": the Romans tended to reserve crucifixion for those of whom they wanted to make a public example; it is much easier and efficient to just stab petty thieves and move on 4. Most importantly, Luke reveals that Barabbas was accused of starting an insurrection in Jerusalem, and for murder (Luke 23:19)! 5. Thus, we do better to understand Barabbas the lestai as an "insurrectionist," or a "revolutionary" C. Insurrection and Jewish Resistance to the Roman Empire 1. For as long as the Romans ruled in Judea and the Second Temple stood, the Jewish people in various ways worked to resist the Roman power (63 BCE - 70 CE) 2. The Israelites had experienced pagan oppression at the hands of Antiochus IV Epiphanes beginning around 167 BCE when he defiled the Temple and banned circumcision and the observance of the Law of Moses; the Israelites remembered how the Maccabeans rose in revolt and successfully overthrew Seleucid authority over the land of Israel (167-163 BCE; cf. 1 Maccabees) 3. The Romans were introduced to help resolve a Hasmonean dynastic claim; Pompey infamously entered into the Most Holy Place and confirmed that nothing was there; while he did not do anything, his mere presence was an abomination (63 BCE; cf. Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 14.70-71) 4. The Romans often considered Judaism an official religion and proved relatively tolerant, conceding they had no need to make offerings to the Emperor, but did enjoin upon them to pray before their God on behalf of the Emperor (ibid., 14.185-267, 301-323; 16.160-178; 19.278-311) 5. But then Caligula wanted to install a statue of himself in the Temple (and only was hindered from so doing by a governor risking disobedience and Caligula's assassination; 40 CE; cf. Philo, On the Embassy to Gaius 30.203), and later procurators proved more and more oppressive, with Florus plundering the Temple as the final breaking point leading ultimately to the First Jewish-Roman War in 66 (Josephus, Wars of the Jews 2.14-15) 6. Thus the Romans were not blameless; and yet the Jewish people truly were very resistant to acceptance of Roman rule, and demonstrated such in many ways 7. The Zealots and the Sicarii followed after the revolt of Judas of Galilee regarding the census of 6 CE (cf. Acts 5:37); they were always agitating against the regime, taking opportunities to rise up or selectively assassinate prominent Roman sympathizers 8. Many insurrectionists rose up in the spirit of Judah the Maccabee; no doubt Jesus Barabbas was among them 9. Some claimed to be some kind of prophet: Theudas, mentioned in Acts 5:36, claimed to be a prophet and was overrun by the Romans around 45 (Josephus, Antiquities 20.97-98), as well as "the Egyptian" mentioned in Acts 21:38; Josephus claimed 30,000 men followed him on an abortive mission to capture Jerusalem by the Mount of Olives in the 50s CE (War 2.261-262) 9. And then there were many claiming to be the Messiah (e.g. Athronges, Simon of Peraea, etc.), and would try to lead insurrections against the Romans to inaugurate a new Davidic Kingdom 10. Thus, as we can tell, insurrections against Roman authority in Judea were nothing new; they were the primary concern of the Roman government! D. Thus we can understand why the Romans would want to crucify Jesus Barabbas and what are likely two of his accomplices: they had agitated for insurrection and committed murder in the process, and the Romans wanted to make an example of them to all the people to dissuade them from further revolt IV. The Choice A. Thus Israel is given a choice between two Jesuses on that fateful Passover in 30 B. Both Jesuses were charged with insurrection against Rome, but could otherwise not be more different C. Jesus Barabbas: the way of the freedom fighter/insurgent/insurrectionist 1. Barabbas represented the "freedom fighter", agitating against Rome, wishing to use violent force to overthrow the Roman authority, ostensibly to re-establish a free Jewish state 2. We speak of the "ideals", of course; we do not know exactly what motivated Barabbas, and we would not be wrong to assume and expect a lot of self-interest on his part 3. Jesus Barabbas is very much exactly what the Romans are concerned about, and unless he was a particularly unsavory character we can understand how many Jewish people would have considered him a hero of some sort D. Jesus of Nazareth: the way of the Suffering Servant 1. Jesus of Nazareth was also accused of fomenting insurrection against Rome by claiming to be the Messiah, the "King of the Jews"; yet even Pilate could tell that Jesus was not the kind of threat Rome was concerned about (e.g. John 18:29-38) 2. Jesus was guilty of upholding the holiness, integrity, and dignity of His Father in the face of religious authorities whose power and standing were threatened by Jesus' teaching and actions 3. Jesus warned Israel against the way of Barabbas, instead encouraging Israel to follow Him in order to obtain the victory over the real Enemy, the Evil One, and the sin and death by which the Evil One had enslaved them E. Thus the choice was given for Israel 1. They could choose the way of Jesus of Nazareth and submit to Him as Lord and Christ (King); He would give them life and victory over sin and death, and through the proclamation of what He was doing they would even ultimately be able to undermine the Roman authority 2. Or they could choose the way of Jesus Barabbas and continue to resist the Roman authority by the shedding of blood, presuming YHWH would give them victory as He had given their ancestors the victory over the Seleucids F. What would it be? V. The Consequences of Israel's Choice A. Israel would choose Jesus Barabbas and condemn Jesus of Nazareth to be crucified; or, as Peter would later indict them, they killed the Author of Life, and asked a murderer to be granted to them (Acts 3:14-15) B. Jesus of Nazareth knew this would be their decision; thus He had already prophetically condemned that generation in the "updated" Parable of the Vineyard and in His "Olivet Discourse" (e.g. Matthew 21:33-45, 24:1-36) C. Indeed, Israel made this decision while the wood was green, while things were not as tense and difficult; what would happen when the wood would become dry (Luke 23:28-31)? D. The consequences of Israel's choice played out during the First Jewish-Roman War as detailed by Josephus in his Wars of the Jews (66-70) 1. The Israelites rose in revolt and were able to overthrow the existing Roman regime 2. Vespasian came with his army and won notable successes in Galilee before his army declared him Emperor in the wake of Nero's assassination; Vespasian and his army had to go to Rome to solidify his position 3. In the meantime a hardcore group of zealots took control in Jerusalem; Jerusalem saw continual infighting among various sectarian groups; food was destroyed, the various factions fought one another 4. Vespasian, successfully made Emperor, sent his son Titus with an army to Jerusalem; they besieged Jerusalem and let the Jewish people fight one another 5. The situation grew dire; people were eating their children because there was no more food! 6. Titus' army pressed their advantage and in 70 entered Jerusalem, burned down the Temple, and destroyed the city E. The Jewish people would later be inspired by Simon bar Kokhba who claimed to be the Messiah around 132, leading to the Second Jewish-Roman War: after much loss of life the Romans thoroughly eliminated bar Kokhba and his forces, banned Jewish people from Jerusalem, built a temple to Zeus on the Temple mount, and called the place Aelia Capitolina F. There has never been an Israelite Temple ever since; the Rabbinic Judaism that developed in the wake of the disasters of 70 and 135 was as different from Second Temple Judaism as Christianity was G. Thus God vindicated Jesus as the Son of Man and visited judgment and devastation upon Israel for their rejection of the Christ and their choice of insurrection VI. Conclusion A. We have considered Barabbas and his ways B. He was an insurrectionist, no doubt hailed by some as a freedom fighter C. Yet his way was the way of death, misery, and ruin for Israel D. Israel chose Barabbas over Jesus; they chose a murderer over the Author of Life; they had no patience for His transcendent Kingdom, but wanted victory over the enemy they could see E. As Christians we must remember the temptation of the way of Barabbas, for in every generation there are many who would go in that way in order to establish power and authority F. We must instead serve Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and Christ, and follow in His ways of humility, suffering evil without responding in kind, if we would have life! G. Invitation Scripture, Meditation, and Application 1: At that time they had in custody a notorious prisoner named Jesus Barabbas (Matthew 27:16). All four Gospels speak of Pilate offering Israel the opportunity to release a prisoner for the Passover. He gave them the option of releasing Jesus, the King of the Jews, whom he knew was not truly guilty of inciting insurrection against Rome. The people were encouraged instead to ask for the release of Jesus Barabbas. What kind of man was Barabbas? 2: (This was a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city, and for murder.) (Luke 23:19) Jesus Barabbas was condemned as a lestai. Many versions translate lestai as "robber," and thus many have imagined Barabbas was a common criminal. If that were the case, the Romans would have just stabbed him. We do better to understand lestai as an "insurrectionist" or "revolutionary." Barabbas and his associates tried to raise a rebellion against Roman rule and killed someone in the process. We can understand why the Romans wanted to make a public example of him. Why would Barabbas rise in revolt against the Romans? 3: So after they had assembled, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Christ?" (Matthew 27:17) During the Passover of 30 CE Israel was given a choice. They could choose the way of Jesus the Christ, and find life in His victory over sin and death. Or they could choose the way of Jesus Barabbas, yearning for the day of insurrection against Rome, to violently re-establish a state for the people of God. The fate of Jerusalem, the Temple, and the future of Judaism was at stake. What would Israel choose? 4: He released the man they asked for, who had been thrown in prison for insurrection and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will (Luke 23:25). The Israelites chose Judas Barabbas: as Peter would put it, they killed the Author of Life, and asked for a murderer to be granted to them. From 66-70 the Jewish people would have their insurrection against Rome, one which would feature as much internecine fighting among the Jewish people as any aggression against Romans. It was the way of the insurrectionist, and it was violently suppressed by the Romans, leading to the devastation and destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. Another revolt in the 130s would provide no better outcome for Israel. God had vindicated Jesus as the Son of Man and visited judgment and condemnation on Israel. Let us heed the warning. Why do so many choose the way of Barabbas over the way of Christ?