Recently, our pastor raised the question, “What happened to Barabbas?” It’s worth pondering. Do you ever wonder what happened to him? Though he is mentioned in all four Gospels, we don’t know much about him. The Bible refers to Barabbas as a “robber,” “a notorious prisoner,” and “a rebel in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection.” At the time of the Passover feast, the Roman governor, Pilate, usually allowed one prisoner to be released. After questioning Jesus, Pilate determined Jesus had done nothing wrong and looked for a way to release Him. However, when He offered to release Jesus or the criminal, Barabbas, the crowd asked for Barabbas. Pilate may have hoped the crowd would choose Jesus instead of a hardened criminal, but they chose Barabbas. Barabbas went free. Jesus went to the cross.
How did Barabbas react? The Bible doesn’t tell us. We can only speculate. Did he gloat in his freedom? Did he think he somehow deserved to be set free? Did he return to his murderous ways? Was he grateful? Did he realize he was a sinner, and repent? Did he spend the rest of his life thanking God for Jesus and what He did for him? Did he spend his life telling others about the grace he received? In other words, did the knowledge that Jesus died in his place change him? Or did his life continue on the same path it had been on before?
We don’t know what happened to Barabbas. The more important question is, what difference does it make in our own lives? In a sense, Barabbas represents all of us. We are all born with a sin nature. We all fail to meet God’s perfect, holy standard (Romans 3:23). Sin deserves God’s wrath. We are sinners, condemned to death, without hope, but for Jesus. Jesus died in our place. When we turn to Jesus in faith, we are freed from the judgment of our sin and freed to live eternally with Him. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23 NLT).
Jesus didn’t have to do it. He could have called legions of angels to rescue Him (Matthew 26:53). But He didn’t come to rescue Himself. He came to rescue us. He laid down His own life willingly to satisfy God’s just wrath against sin. He died so we could live.
Do we take that for granted? Do we somehow think we deserve some special place in God’s kingdom based on the way we live? Do we live in awe and wonder at God’s grace? Will we spend the remainder of our lives thanking God for Jesus?
As Easter approaches, the whole world remembers Jesus’ death on the cross. Because of Jesus, we can live in hope. May we also live in humble gratitude.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NASB
With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever, for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death. Psalm 86:12-13 NLT
We don’t know what happened to Barabbas. What difference does Jesus death make for you? Please leave a comment below.
HAPPY EASTER!
Blessings,
Phyllis
Copyright 2025 Phyllis L. Farringer
Image by RENE RAUSCHENBERGER from Pixabay
Happy Easter
Thank you, George. Happy Easter to you.
Interesting question. I’d like to hope that Barrabas spent the rest of his life thanking and serving God after realizing the grace that was given to him.
Blessings to you and
yours Phyllis
Thank you, Kathie. Blessings to you as well.