I was lsitening to the Palm Sunday service…and of course, the mention is made (of Pilate releasing the criminal Bar-Abbas) instead of Jesus.
My question: “Bar-Abbas” means “Son of the Father”-is this a real name, or is it an allegory for something else? Is there any mention (outside of the Gospels) of who this guy Barabbas was? In the Passion, Bar-Abbas is described as a murderer…do w have any more info on why the Roman procurator (Pilate) would release a dangerous criminal?
I can see letting a chicken thief go, but a murderer?
It was the custom that the Roman governor of Judaea commute one prisoner’s death sentence during Passover. He asked the crowds outside the gubernatorial palace to choose between Barabbas or Jesus. They picked Barabbas.
Do we have outside evidence (beyond the gospel story) that this was indeed a custom?