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Barabbas

Meaning: son of Abba or of a father

Barabbas was a notorious robber whom Pilate proposed to condemn to death instead of Jesus, whom he wished to release, in accordance with the Roman custom (John 18:40; Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19). But the Jews were so bent on the death of Jesus that they demanded that Barabbas should be pardoned (Matt. 27:16-26; Acts 3:14). This Pilate did.

He was also known as Jesus Barabbas.

Author: Matthew G. Easton, with editing by Paul S. Taylor.