Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

barabbas

noun

/bəˈræbəs/

Definition

Barabbas is a name found in the Christian Bible, specifically in the New Testament, referring to a prisoner who was released instead of Jesus Christ during the Passover festival.

Examples

In the Gospel of Matthew, it is said that the crowd chose to release Barabbas, highlighting the tension between Jesus and the authorities.
Barabbas was a notorious criminal, known for his involvement in insurrection and murder.
The release of Barabbas instead of Jesus is a significant moment in the Passion narrative of the Gospels.

Meaning

The name Barabbas means ‘son of the father’. In the context of the biblical story, he represents the choice given to the people between releasing a convicted criminal or Jesus.