BARABBAS CONSPIRACY - NYOBS 58.02

BARABBAS CONSPIRACY

The Great Exchange – The Substitutionary Atonement

First Word

·         We first hear about Barabbas at the trial of Jesus when Pilate tries to find a way to release Jesus unharmed to the people through “The Great Exchange”, but it didn’t go according to plan. – This is where we pick up the story…

A little background

·         Zelotes is a Greek word meaning “Zealous One”

• The Zealot Resistance was founded in the time of Quirinius around 6 to 7 A.D by a Galilean named Judas and a Pharisee by the name of Zadok. The Zealots were an underground political party; a fanatical Jewish sect that militantly opposed the Roman domination of Palestine.  – NYOBS 32.13 - ZEALOTS
• Judas the Galilean led the Zealots in an ill-fated revolt against the Romans; he was killed and his followers scattered, but the Zealot Resistance lived on.
• Oddly enough the Zealot’s beginnings were the same year Jesus was born and the tax decree had been made. - The Romans had ordered a census to be taken of the Jews for the purpose of TAXATION and the Zealots were objecting for two main reasons.
• FIRST; They took the position that no one should be honored as Lord or King but God Jehovah. – So they rejected the foreign rule of the Romans.
• SECOND; To pay taxes to an Emperor was considered Idolatry and blasphemous to God.
• The Zealots mantras was; “NO RULE BUT THE LAW, NO KING BUT GOD”.  They were greatly feared as they would kill you in cold blood just because you were a Roman.
• They had hope for a Messiah that would overthrow the Roman Government and restore the kingdom to Israel. – Two Disciples; Judas Iscariot and Simon the Zealot held the same “political views” and believed that Jesus was “The Man” that had come to restore Israel.
• The Zealots around 52 to 60 A.D. formed a radical group known as The Sicarii (dagger people) indicative of their tactics, who circulated in crowds during festivals and killed Roman sympathizers with daggers that they concealed in their clothing. – That certainly would include TAX COLLECTORS for Rome who were for the most part JEWS.
• The Sicarii were devoted supporters of God and His laws and secretly engaged in acts of intrigue, violence, force, deceptions plus ASSASSINATIONS of Roman soldiers and anyone else that opposed the resistance in order to keep it from achieving its liberating ends.
• Barabbas was the leader of such a group of men. - As I read through the Commentaries, I find some that want to condemn the Zealots for starting the Roman War and others that want to call them HEROS. – I leave it to you to decide.

Luke 2:1 – Romans decreed the Jews must pay taxes.

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. NIV

Acts 5:37 – Judas the Galilean Zealot led a revolt against Rome

37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. NIV

The Comparison

·         Barabbas comes on the scene as a deliverer of the Hebrew people from the oppression of Rome and was a favorite of the silent majority. - He had been arrested and charged with homicidal political terrorism; being a notorious revolutionary, an insurrectionist as well as being a bandit; a robber and a murderer.  – You could say he had a few flaws in his character.

·         Many think that the Zealot Barabbas was also named “Jesus” which was a common name, and to make sure that Pilate did not misunderstand which Jesus they were talking about”, they used the word “Bar-abbas” so as to not be confused with the other Jesus from Nazareth. - Bar means SON and Abba means FATHER; he was probably the son of a famous Rabi. - These thoughts arise because documented in some early 9^th century manuscripts and the Codex O, the rendering of his full name as found in Matthew 27:16-17 is written as “Jesus Barabbas”.

·         Barabbas was the son of the “Father” – His path was to overthrow Rome with the sword.

·         Jesus was also known as the Son of the Father - His path was peace and suffering which did not attract the masses as Barabbas did. - The Pharisees tried to get Jesus connected with The Zealot Resistance Movement by asking him the question; “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar”? – They were tricksters -

·         Jesus had been on the scene now for about 3 years and was also considered a deliverer of the Hebrew people from the power of Rome.

• Did you notice that we have TWO men named Jesus; TWO “Sons of the Father” – Both with a path for deliverance of Israel. - TWO paths; one of Peace and the other of the sword. - One was a Sinner; the other who knew no sin. – There are still TWO paths in life…

Mark 15:7 – Barabbas a REBEL; was in prison - Sinner
⁷ And among the REBELS in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. (ESV)

Matthew 27:16 - Barabbas a NOTORIOUS prisoner - Sinner
¹⁶ And they had then a notorious prisoner, called BARABBAS. (ESV)

Luke 23:19 – Barabbas an INSURRECTIONIST - Sinner
¹⁹ a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. (ESV)

Acts 3:14 - Barabbas was a MURDERER - Sinner
¹⁴ But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, (ESV)

John 18:40 – Barabbas was a ROBBER - Sinner
⁴⁰ They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber. (ESV)

Luke 23:4 – Jesus – No fault found - SINLESS
⁴ Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man. (KJV)

Mark 12:13-17 – The Trick – Pay taxes or not – Zealot?

13 Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words.

14 They came to him and said, "Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?

15 Should we pay or shouldn't we?"

But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. "Why are you trying to TRAP ME?" he asked. "Bring me a denarius and let me look at it."

16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" - "Caesar's," they replied.

17 Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's."  NIV

The Great Exchange

• The Mishnah Pesahim 8.6 ordains that the Passover Lamb may be offered for one whom they have promised to bring out of prison.
• There was a custom of amnesty at the Passover feast to release one prisoner each year and this time, instead of Jesus of Nazareth, the crowds shouted out to release Barabbas, the notorious ZEALOT, murderer and insurrectionist who was considered their HERO.
• The penalty of being charged with insurrection was the worst death possible; crucifixion on the cross on a public highway as a warning to everyone that passed by and saw him.
• Pilate repeatedly took Jesus aside into the judgment hall and questioned Him; the thought being; “Jesus if you will just cooperate with me, I can get you out of this mess and I can get myself off this Hot seat”; but Jesus would not defend Himself.
• Scripture seems to indicate that the crowd does not take a stand against Jesus, but are more like spectators; passive rather than hostile, till they are stirred up by the Chief Priest who wielded considerable influence. – The crowd had assembled to obtain the release of their Hero and insurrectionist Barabbas. – Jesus was just collateral damage, besides that, He had disappointed them in their hopes and expectations of a Messiah.  – NYOBS 18.18 - THE WAY OF THE CROSS
• Pilate condemns Jesus to death.  Pilate’s action was not prompted by the desire for justice, but by political and moral cowardice. – Barabbas was released and saved from crucifixion. – JESUS TOOK HIS PLACE. – This is known as “Substitutionary Atonement”.
• Did you see it? Jesus became the Passover Lamb and took the place of a condemned sinful man on the cross thereby sparing his life. – When Jesus died on the cross He also took our place and died for our sins.

John 19:3-4 - I find no fault in him – not guilty -
³ And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.
⁴ Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

(KJV)

Matt 27:21 – Who do you want to be released

21 "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor. "Barabbas," they answered. NIV

John 18:40 – No not Jesus

40 They shouted back, "No, not him! Give us Barabbas!" Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion. NIV

John 19:6-7 – He said He was the Son of God - Crucify Him
⁶ When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.
⁷ The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. (KJV)

Matt 27:20 – Release Barabbas

20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

Luke 23:18-19 – Barabbas was an insurrectionist – A Hero

18 Away with this man! (Jesus) Release Barabbas to us!"

19 (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) NIV

Mark 15:15 – Pilate released Barabbas to the Crowd
¹⁵ So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified. (NKJV)

The Choice

·         Did you see it? – It was Pilate who became on trial; he had to choose the way that he knew was right or the way of the world and his choice put the blood of Jesus Christ on his hands forever even though he tried to wash them.

·         Pilate then gave the Jews the same CHOICE of Jesus Barabbas or Jesus the Christ.

·         Today we have the same choice that the Hebrews had, as well as all the people of all races down through the centuries. – The choice of where to place our faith; in Jesus the Son of God or in Jesus the son of the world. – The Creator or the Creation.

·         If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey His commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth.  – I didn’t say this; God did. –

·         Now you are the one that’s on trial; you must choose what you believe. – To make no decision is a decision to reject God’s only begotten Son, Jesus the Christ. – If you accept, then EVERYONE will know it, because of how you live your life. -  Life is choice driven  –

Matthew 27:24 – You can’t wash your hands of His blood
²⁴ So when Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing, but rather that a tumult was arising, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man;

1 Corinthians 1:18 – Path to the cross is foolish to the perishing
¹⁸ For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (ESV)

1 Corinthians 1:18-21 – The World does not know God
¹⁸ For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
¹⁹ For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
²⁰ Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
²¹ For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. (ESV)    BELIEVER or MAKE-BELIEVER

1 John 2:3-4 - If you are a Believer then you will Obey God
³ And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments.
⁴ If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth.

In the multitude of counselors,

there is wisdom.

Proverbs 11:14

I am grateful to those that went before me providing concepts, ideas, historical information, and scripture verses.  Because of them I can stand on their shoulders and see further that I otherwise ever could have.

                                                                                                                                     

Apocrypha - Goodspeed

Bible Almanac; The – Packer-Tenney-White

Bible Dictionary – Harper and Row

English Standard Version Bible – ESV

Expositor’s Bible Commentary – Frank E. Gaebelein

Illustrated Bible Dictionary – Nelson’s

Illustrated Bible Dictionary; The – Tyndale

King James Version Bible – KJV

Mysteries of the Bible – Readers Digest

Nave’s Topical Bible - Zondervan

New International Dictionary of the Bible; The – Douglas - Tenney

New International Version Bible - NIV

Thru the Bible – J. Vernon McGee

Who’s Who in the Bible – Paul D. Gardner

Wikipedia -

Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible; The – Tenney