Monday, May 10, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
WHAT HAPPENED TO BARABBAS AFTER HIS RELEASE
According to the gospels, it was customary for the Romans to release a Jewish prisoner during the Passover festival. The Roman governor Pontius Pilate tried to use this custom as an excuse to release Jesus. But a crowd in the courtyard demanded that a prisoner named Barabbas be freed instead, and Pilate eventually gave in to the pressure. Thus Barabbas was released, and Jesus was crucified.
In books and movies, Barabbas is usually depicted as an evil criminal. But he may have actually been a freedom fighter in the Jewish resistance to the Romans. Evidence for this can be found at Mark 15:7, which says that he was in prison because he had taken part in a recent uprising. In fact, some biblical scholars think that he was an important rebel leader. If so, this would explain why the crowd shouted for his release, because any leader in the fight against the hated Romans would be very popular with the common people.
But Jesus was also very popular with the common people. When he entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, he was greeted by large excited crowds. Many people believed that he was the long-awaited Messiah, who with God's help would overthrow all oppressive rulers and establish a new eternal Kingdom of God.
But if Jesus and Barabbas were both very popular, why did the crowd call for Jesus to be crucified and Barabbas to be released? The likely explanation is that the crowd was dominated by employees of the Jewish religious authorities. Their servants and henchmen would have been in the courtyard, and probably composed a significant part of the gathering there. Also, because Jesus was arrested late at night and brought before Pilate early the next morning, most of his followers probably didn't know where he was, or what was happening to him. And his closest followers had apparently gone into hiding out of fear of arrest.
Thus the Jewish leaders could have told their servants and henchmen to shout for Barabbas to be released, and the rest of the crowd could have then joined in. This explanation is supported by Mark 15:11, which says that the "chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead." But why did the Jewish leaders want Jesus to die instead of Barabbas? The answer is that many of the common people believed that Jesus was the Messiah, and this made him a threat to their authority.
The Mystery of Barabbas
The so-called "mystery of Barabbas" refers to some puzzling similarities between the released prisoner and Jesus himself. The most striking similarity concerns their names. Some ancient Syriac copies of Matthew, and a few other ancient sources, call the freed prisoner "Jesus bar Abbas". The name Barabbas can be obtained from this by dropping the name "Jesus" and changing "bar Abbas" to "Barabbas". Furthermore, the phrase "bar Abbas" can be translated as "son of the Father", which could possibly be applied to Jesus himself, since he sometimes used the word "Abba" (father) in referring to God.
From this evidence, many scholars have concluded that Barabbas' original name was "Jesus bar Abbas". Other evidence indicates that this name was intentionally altered by later Christian writers. One well-documented case involves the scholar Origen, who reportedly promoted the change for reverential reasons, because he didn't want the name "Jesus" to be associated with a criminal.
Another similarity between the two men relates to their possible roles as rebel leaders. The gospel of Mark says that Barabbas had been imprisoned for taking part in a revolt, and his popularity with the crowd suggests that he had been one of its leaders. But from the viewpoint of the Romans, Jesus could have also appeared to be a rebel leader. Many people were calling him the Messiah, a title which implied that he would overthrow the existing government. He had a large number of followers, many of whom might be easily swayed into taking part in a revolt. In fact, his earlier attack on the temple merchants could be regarded as a "mini-revolt".
Thus, both men may have had the same name, and both of them could have appeared to be rebel leaders, at least from the Romans' viewpoint. These similarities are known as the "mystery of Barabbas". Some people think that the similarities are too close to be accidental and have looked for another way to explain them. According to one radical theory, in the original story Jesus himself was the imprisoned rebel leader, and Barabbas is an invented "fictional duplicate" inserted into the story to play that role instead. The motive for such a change would be to cover up the fact that Jesus had tried to organize a revolt against the Romans and was crucified as a result.
But this theory is mostly speculation, and its supporters have to resort to questionable arguments to explain the details. For these reasons, most scholars are unconvinced. In fact, Jesus was a common name in ancient Palestine, and uprisings against the Romans took place quite frequently. Therefore it shouldn't be surprising that a rebel leader with the same name as Jesus would happen to be in Roman custody on the day of the crucifixion.
Note: The gospels don't say what Barabbas did after he was released. But other ancient sources do preserve some traditions about him. According to one tradition, on the day he was released he went to Golgotha and watched Jesus die on the cross. Some sources also say that he was later killed while taking part in another revolt against the Romans.
In books and movies, Barabbas is usually depicted as an evil criminal. But he may have actually been a freedom fighter in the Jewish resistance to the Romans. Evidence for this can be found at Mark 15:7, which says that he was in prison because he had taken part in a recent uprising. In fact, some biblical scholars think that he was an important rebel leader. If so, this would explain why the crowd shouted for his release, because any leader in the fight against the hated Romans would be very popular with the common people.
But Jesus was also very popular with the common people. When he entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, he was greeted by large excited crowds. Many people believed that he was the long-awaited Messiah, who with God's help would overthrow all oppressive rulers and establish a new eternal Kingdom of God.
But if Jesus and Barabbas were both very popular, why did the crowd call for Jesus to be crucified and Barabbas to be released? The likely explanation is that the crowd was dominated by employees of the Jewish religious authorities. Their servants and henchmen would have been in the courtyard, and probably composed a significant part of the gathering there. Also, because Jesus was arrested late at night and brought before Pilate early the next morning, most of his followers probably didn't know where he was, or what was happening to him. And his closest followers had apparently gone into hiding out of fear of arrest.
Thus the Jewish leaders could have told their servants and henchmen to shout for Barabbas to be released, and the rest of the crowd could have then joined in. This explanation is supported by Mark 15:11, which says that the "chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead." But why did the Jewish leaders want Jesus to die instead of Barabbas? The answer is that many of the common people believed that Jesus was the Messiah, and this made him a threat to their authority.
The Mystery of Barabbas
The so-called "mystery of Barabbas" refers to some puzzling similarities between the released prisoner and Jesus himself. The most striking similarity concerns their names. Some ancient Syriac copies of Matthew, and a few other ancient sources, call the freed prisoner "Jesus bar Abbas". The name Barabbas can be obtained from this by dropping the name "Jesus" and changing "bar Abbas" to "Barabbas". Furthermore, the phrase "bar Abbas" can be translated as "son of the Father", which could possibly be applied to Jesus himself, since he sometimes used the word "Abba" (father) in referring to God.
From this evidence, many scholars have concluded that Barabbas' original name was "Jesus bar Abbas". Other evidence indicates that this name was intentionally altered by later Christian writers. One well-documented case involves the scholar Origen, who reportedly promoted the change for reverential reasons, because he didn't want the name "Jesus" to be associated with a criminal.
Another similarity between the two men relates to their possible roles as rebel leaders. The gospel of Mark says that Barabbas had been imprisoned for taking part in a revolt, and his popularity with the crowd suggests that he had been one of its leaders. But from the viewpoint of the Romans, Jesus could have also appeared to be a rebel leader. Many people were calling him the Messiah, a title which implied that he would overthrow the existing government. He had a large number of followers, many of whom might be easily swayed into taking part in a revolt. In fact, his earlier attack on the temple merchants could be regarded as a "mini-revolt".
Thus, both men may have had the same name, and both of them could have appeared to be rebel leaders, at least from the Romans' viewpoint. These similarities are known as the "mystery of Barabbas". Some people think that the similarities are too close to be accidental and have looked for another way to explain them. According to one radical theory, in the original story Jesus himself was the imprisoned rebel leader, and Barabbas is an invented "fictional duplicate" inserted into the story to play that role instead. The motive for such a change would be to cover up the fact that Jesus had tried to organize a revolt against the Romans and was crucified as a result.
But this theory is mostly speculation, and its supporters have to resort to questionable arguments to explain the details. For these reasons, most scholars are unconvinced. In fact, Jesus was a common name in ancient Palestine, and uprisings against the Romans took place quite frequently. Therefore it shouldn't be surprising that a rebel leader with the same name as Jesus would happen to be in Roman custody on the day of the crucifixion.
Note: The gospels don't say what Barabbas did after he was released. But other ancient sources do preserve some traditions about him. According to one tradition, on the day he was released he went to Golgotha and watched Jesus die on the cross. Some sources also say that he was later killed while taking part in another revolt against the Romans.
Names and Titles of Christ
Adam (the last) - I Corinthians 15:45
Advocate - I John 2:1
Almighty (the) - Revelation 1:8
Alpha and Omega - Revelation 1:8,11; 21:6
Amen - Revelation 3:14
Ancient of Days - Daniel 7:22
Angel of the Lord – Exodus 3:2, 23:20,21; Judges 13:15-18; Zechariah 1:11, 12
Angel of the Presence of the Lord – Isaiah 63:9
Anointed of God – Psalm 2:2; Acts 4:26
Apostle of Our Profession – Hebrews 3:1
Author and Finisher of Faith – Hebrews 12:2
Author of Eternal Salvation – Hebrews 5:9
Beginning and the Ending – Revelation 1:8; 22:13
Beginning of the Creation of God – Revelation 3:14
Beloved of God – Ephesians 1:6
Beloved Son of God – Matthew 3:17; 17:5; Mark 1:11; 9:7; Luke 3:22; 9:35; Colossians 1:13; II Peter 1:17
Bishop of Souls – I Peter 2:25 (See Shepherd)
Blessed and only Potentate – I Timothy 6:15
Branch – Jeremiah 23:5; Zechariah 3:8; 6:12
Branch of Righteousness – Jeremiah 33:15
Bread (living) from Heaven – John 6:32-35,50, 51
Bread of Life – John 6: 35, 48
Brightness of the Glory of God – Hebrews 1:3
Brother of His Disciples – Matthew 12:50; 25:40; Mark 3:35; Hebrews 12:11, 17
Captain of Salvation – Hebrews 2:10
Captain of the Lord’s Host – Joshua 5:14,15
Chief Corner Stone – Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20; I Peter 2:6,7
Chief Shepherd – I Peter 5:4
Child (little) – Luke 2:12, 16 27, 40; Matthew 2:11, 13, 20
Child Jesus – Luke 2: 27,43
Christ – Matthew 1:16; 16:16, 20; 26:63; Mark 8:29; 14:61; Luke 2;11; John 6:69; 10:24, 25; 11:27; 20:31; Acts 2:36; I John 5:1
Christ of God – Luke 9:20
Christ of the Lord – Luke 2:26
Consolation of Israel – Luke 2:25
Counsellor – Isaiah 9:6
Covenant of the People – Isaiah 42:6
Covert from the Tempest – Isaiah 32:2
Creator of Israel – Isaiah 43:15
David – Jeremiah 30:9; Ezekiel 34:23; 37:24, 25; Hosea 3:5
Dayspring from on high – Luke 1:78
Deliverer – Romans 11:26(cp. Isaiah 19:20)
Desire of all Nations – Haggai 2:7
Despised and Rejected of Men – Psalm 22:6; Isaiah 53:3
Door – John 10:7,9
Elect and Chosen of God – Isaiah 42:1; Matthew 12:18; Luke 23:35
Emmanuel – Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23
Ensign of the People – Isaiah 11:10
Eternal Life – I John 5:20
Everlasting Father – Isaiah 9:6
Faithful and True – Revelation 19:11
Fellow of the Lord of Hosts – Zechariah 13:7
Finisher of Faith – Hebrews 12:2
First and Last – Isaiah 44:6; Revelation 1;11, 17; 2:8; 22:13
Firstborn among many brethren – Romans 8:29
Firstborn (or First-begotten) of the dead – Colossians 1:18; Revelation 1:5
Firstborn of every creature – Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:6
Firstfruits of them that slept – I Corinthians 15:20,23
Forerunner – Hebrews 6:20
Foundation Stone – Isaiah 28:16; I Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:20
Fountain for sin – Zechariah 13:1
Friend of Sinners – Matthew 11:10
Friend of those who do His will – John 15:13-15
Gift (Unspeakable) of God – John 4:10; II Corinthians 9:15
Glory of Israel – Luke 2:32
God – Psalm 45:6,7 and Hebrews 1;8,9; Isaiah 35:4; 40:9; John 1:1; 20:28; I Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:1; I John 5:20
God blessed forever – Romans 9:5
God of the whole earth – Isaiah 54:5
Governor – Matthew 2:6 (See Micah 5:2)
Head of all Principality and Power – Colossians 2:10
Head of every man – I Corinthians 11:3
Head of the Church – Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18
Heir of all things – Hebrews 1:2
High priest forever after the order of Melchisedec – Psalm 110:4 and Hebrews 6:20; 7:17, 21
High priest of our Profession – Hebrews 3:1; 4:14; 6:20; 7:26
Holy Child Jesus – Acts 4:27, 30
Holy One – Acts 3:14; Revelation 3:7
Holy One of God – Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34; Acts 2:27; 13:35 and Psalm 16:10
Holy One of Israel – Isaiah 41:14; 43:3, 14; 47:4; 54:5
Hope of Israel – Acts 28:20; I Timothy 1:1
Horn of Salvation – Luke 1:69
Husband and Bridegroom – Isaiah 54:5; Matthew 9:15; John 3:29; II Corinthians 11:2
I AM – John 8:58 (cp. Verses 24 and 28, also Exodus 3:14)
Image of God – II Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:15
Image (Express) of the Person of God – Hebrews 1:3
Jesus – Matthew 1:21, 25; Luke 1:31; 2:21;Acts 9:5; 13:23; 22:8; 26:15; I Thessalonians 1:10
Judge (Righteous) – II Timothy 4:8
Judge of quick and dead – Acts 10:42; II Timothy 4:1
Just One – Acts 3:14; 7:52
King of Glory – Psalm 24:7-10
King of Israel – Isaiah 44:6; Ezekiel 37:21,24; John 1:49
King of kings – I Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; 19:16
King of saints (marg. ‘nations’ or ‘ages’) - Revelation 15:3
King of the Jews – Matthew 2:2; 27:37; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38; John 18:39; 19:19
King of Zion – Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:5; John 12;15
Lamb – I Peter 1:19; Revelation 5:6,12; 7:10; 13:8; 14:1,4; 17:14; 21:22,
Lamb of God – John 1:29,36
Lawgiver - Joshua 4:12 (cp. Hebrews 3:5,6)
Leader and Commander – Isaiah 55:4
Life – John 11:25; 14:6; Colossians 3:4; I John 1:2
Life (Eternal) – I John 1:2; 5:20
Light – John 1:8,9; 12:35,36
Light (True) – John 1:9
Light of men – John 1:4
Light of the Gentiles (or nations) – Isaiah 42:6; 49:6; 60:3; Luke 2:32
Light of the world – John 8:12; 9:5; 12:46
Lion of Juda – Revelation 5:5
Lord – Luke 2:11; John 13:14; 20:28; Acts 2:36; Romans 1:3; I Corinthians 8:6; 12:3; Philippians 2:11
Lord from heaven – I Corinthians 15:47
Lord God Almighty – Revelation 15:3
Lord Jesus – Acts 7:59; 8:16; 19:17;21:13; I Corinthians 11:23; I Thessalonians 2:15; Hebrews 13:20; Revelation 22:20
Lord Jesus Christ – Acts 15:11; 16:31; Romans 5:1; I Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 3:20; I Thessalonians 3:13; I Peter 1:3
Lord of all – Acts 10:36; Romans 10:12
Lord of Glory – I Corinthians 2:8
Lord of Hosts – Isaiah 47:4; 54:5
Lord of lords – I Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; 19:16
Lord of the dead and living – Romans 14:9
Lord of the Sabbath – Matthew 12:8; Mark 2:28; Luke 6:5
Lord our Righteousness – Jeremiah 23:6
Man – I Timothy 2:5
Man(Second) – I Corinthians 15:47
Man approved (or ordained) of God – Acts 2:22; 17:31
Man of Sorrows – Isaiah 53:3
Man of the right hand of God – Psalm 80:17
Master – Matthew 8:19; 23:8, 10; John 13:13, 14
Mediator – I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24
Messenger of the Covenant – Malachi 3:1
Messiah – Daniel 9:25, 26; John 1:41; 4:25
Michael – Daniel 10:21; 12:1
Mighty God – Isaiah 9:6
Minister of the circumcision – Romans 15:8
Minister of the Sanctuary – Hebrews 8:2
Morning Star – Revelation 22:16
Most Holy – Daniel 9:24
Nazarene (or Jesus of Nazareth) – Matthew 2:23; Mark 1:24; Acts 2:22; 10:38
Only begotten of the Father – John 1:14; 3:16,18; I John 4:9
Passover – I Corinthians 5:7
Peace – Ephesians 2:14
Place (hiding) from the wind – Isaiah 32:2
Plant of Renown – Ezekiel 34:29
Power and Wisdom of God – I Corinthians 1:24
Precious Corner Stone – Isaiah 28:16; I Peter 2:7
Prince – Daniel 9:25
Prince and Saviour – Acts 5:31
Prince of Israel – Ezekiel 34:24; 37:25 (cp. Micah 5:1)
Prince of Life – Acts 3:15
Prince of Peace – Isaiah 9:6
Prince of the kings of the earth – Revelation 1:5
Prophet – Deuteronomy 18:15 and Acts 3:22 and 7:37; Luke 24:19; John 7:40
Propitiation for our sins – I John 2:2; 4:10
Redeemer – Job 19:25; Isaiah 47:4; 54:5; 59:20; 60:16
Resurrection and Life - John 11:25
Rock (the Spiritual) – I Corinthians 10:4
Rock of offence – I Peter 2:8
Root and Offspring of David – Revelation 5:5; 22:16
Root of Jesse – Isaiah 11;10; Romans 15:12
Ruler – Micah 5:2 (See Matthew 2:6)
Salvation of God – Luke 2:30
Saviour – Isaiah 43:3; Luke 2:11; John 4:42; Acts 5:31; 13:23; Ephesians 5:23; Philippians 3:20; II Timothy 1:10; Titus 1:4; 2:13; 3:6; II Peter 1:1,11; 2:20; 3:18; I John 4:14
Seed of Abraham – Galatians 3:16
Seed of the woman – Genesis 3:15
Servant (Righteousness) – Isaiah 53:11
Servant of the Lord – Isaiah 42:1; 52:13; Ezekiel 34:24; Zechariah 3:8; Matthew 12:18
Shepherd – Isaiah 40:11; Zechariah 13:7
Shepherd (Chief) – I Peter 5:4
Shepherd (Good) – John 10:11, 14
Shepherd (Great) of the Sheep – Hebrews 13:20
Shepherd and Bishop of souls – I Peter 2:25
Shiloh – Genesis 49:10 (cp. Numbers 24:17)
Son of David – Matthew 1:1; 9:27; 15:22; 20:30; 21:9; Mark 10:47; Luke 18:38; 20:41
Son of God – Psalm 2:7 and Hebrews 1:5;Matthew 8:29; 16:16; 26:63; Mark 3:11; Luke 1:35; John 1:49; 6:69; 10:36; 11:27; Acts 8:37; Romans 1:4; I Corinthians 1:9; Galatians 4:4; I John 5:5
Son of Man – Psalm 80:17; Daniel 7:13; Matthew 8:20; 9:6; 16:13; Mark 8:38; 9:12,31; Luke 19:10; John 5:27; Acts 7:56
Son of the Blessed – Mark 14:61
Son of the Highest – Luke 1:32
Star of Jacob – Numbers 24:17
Stone (Living),Chosen and Precious – I Peter 2:4-6 and Isaiah 28:16
Stone (Tried) – Isaiah 28:16
Stone of Stumbling – Isaiah 8:14; Romans 9:33; I Peter 2:8
Stone which the builders rejected – Psalm 118:22; Matthew 21:42; I Peter 2:7
Sun of Righteousness – Malachi 4:2
Surety – Hebrews 7:22
Teacher from God – John 3:2
True God – I John 5:20
True Vine – John 15:1
Truth – John 14:6
Way – John 14:6
Wisdom of God – Proverbs 8:12, 22-26; I Corinthians 1:24
Witness (Faithful and True) – Revelation 1:5; 3:14; 19:11
Witness to the people – Isaiah 55:4
Wonderful – Isaiah 9:6
Word – John 1:1, 14
Word of God – Revelation 19:13
Word of Life – I John 1:1
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
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