Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
JOHN 18:40KJVWhat does John 18:40 mean?
John 18:40 shows the crowd demanding that Pilate release Barabbas instead of Jesus, even though Barabbas was known to be a robber. The verse highlights the choice made by the people to free a criminal rather than Jesus, who had been arrested but not found guilty of any crime.
In this scene, Pilate is addressing the crowd during Jesus’ trial. The people, stirred up by the religious leaders, shout for the release of Barabbas, rejecting Jesus. The verse points out the irony and injustice of the situation: Barabbas, whose name means “son of the father,” was a robber, yet the crowd preferred him over Jesus, who is called the true Son of God.
The Greek behind John 18:40
- ἦν (ēn, transliterated as "was"): This word is used to describe Barabbas’s character, making it clear that he was already known as a robber, not just accused.
- λῃστής (lēstēs, transliterated as "robber"): This Greek word often refers not only to a thief but to someone involved in violent crime or insurrection. It suggests Barabbas was more than a petty criminal, possibly a rebel against Roman rule.
Why John 18:40 matters
- John 18:40 clarifies that the crowd’s choice was not just between two ordinary prisoners, but between Jesus and a man known for serious wrongdoing.
- The verse emphasizes the injustice and irony of the situation, as the people demand the release of a criminal while rejecting someone innocent.
- This moment connects to the larger narrative of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion, showing how public opinion, influenced by leaders, played a role in the events leading to Jesus’ death.