Mark 15:7

And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(7) Bound with them that had made insurrection.—The fact that Barabbas was a rebel as well as robber is stated by St. Luke also (Luke 23:19), but St. Mark alone records the fact that his fellow-insurgents were imprisoned with him.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

15:1-14 They bound Christ. It is good for us often to remember the bonds of the Lord Jesus, as bound with him who was bound for us. By delivering up the King, they, in effect, delivered up the kingdom of God, which was, therefore, as by their own consent, taken from them, and given to another nation. Christ gave Pilate a direct answer, but would not answer the witnesses, because the things they alleged were known to be false, even Pilate himself was convinced they were so. Pilate thought that he might appeal from the priests to the people, and that they would deliver Jesus out of the priests' hands. But they were more and more urged by the priests, and cried, Crucify him! Crucify him! Let us judge of persons and things by their merits, and the standard of God's word, and not by common report. The thought that no one ever was so shamefully treated, as the only perfectly wise, holy, and excellent Person that ever appeared on earth, leads the serious mind to strong views of man's wickedness and enmity to God. Let us more and more abhor the evil dispositions which marked the conduct of these persecutors.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See the principal events in this chapter explained in the notes at Matthew 27.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 15

Mr 15:1-20. Jesus Is Brought before Pilate—At a Second Hearing, Pilate, after Seeking to Release Him, Delivers Him Up—After Being Cruelly Entreated, He Is Led Away to Be Crucified. ( = Mt 26:1, 2, 11-31; Lu 23:1-6, 13-25; Joh 18:28-19:16).

See on [1518]Joh 18:28-19:16.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

See Poole on "Mark 15:2"

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And there was one named Barabbas,.... A prisoner of that name at Jerusalem;

which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him: he had been at the head of a seditious mob, and he and his accomplices were taken and put in prison:

who had committed murder in the insurrection; which may be connected either with Barabbas, and read in the singular number, as it is in the Vulgate Latin version, "he had committed"; or with the seditious persons he lay bound with, and be read in the plural number, "they had committed murder", as it is in the Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions; and so in the ancient copies; and the Ethiopic renders it, "he was bound with seditious persons and murderers"; though, no doubt, he was guilty of murder as well as they; and so Peter calls him a murderer, Acts 3:14. About this time murders were very frequently committed: the Jews say (r) that

"from the time that murderers increased, the slaying of the red heifer ceased; (the reason the commentators (s) give, is, because they were known who were accustomed to commit murder;) and that was from the time that Eleazar ben Dinai came, and Techinah ben Perishah he was called; and they called him again the son of a murderer;''

See Gill on Matthew 27:16.

(r) Misn. Sota, c. 9. sect. 9. Maimon. Hilch. Rotzeach. c. 9. sect. 12. (s) Jarchi & Bartienora in ib.

Geneva Study Bible

And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Mark 15:7. στασιαστῶν (συστασ., T.R.): this word (here only in N. T.) contains an interesting hint as to the nature of the offence committed by Barabbas and his associates. They were no mere band of brigands (λῃστής: John 18:40), but men engaged in an insurrection, probably of a political character, rising out of the restless desire of many for independence, and in connection with that guilty of murder (φόνον), at least some of them (οἵτινες), Barabbas included.—f1τῇ στάσει: the article refers back to στασιαστῶν = the insurrection implied in there being insurrectionists. Mk. therefore does not refer to the insurrection as known to his readers. Perhaps he knew nothing about it himself, nor do we.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

7. one named Barabbas] There lay in prison at this time, awaiting execution, a celebrated bandit or robber named Barabbas. This word is a patronymic, and means (i) according to some, Bar-Abbas= Song of Solomon of Abba = “son of the father,” or (ii) according to others, Bar-Rabbas = “Song of Solomon of a Rabbi.” In three MSS. of Matthew 27:16, his name is given as “Jesus Bar-abbas,” and this reading is supported by the Armenian and Syriac Versions and is cited by Origen.

them that had made insurrection] Barabbas had headed one of the numerous insurrections against the Roman power, which were constantly harassing the procurators, and giving untold trouble to the legionary troops quartered at Cæsarea and other places. In this particular insurrection blood had been shed, and apparently some Roman soldiers had been killed.

Bengel's Gnomen

Mark 15:7. Ἐν τῇ στάσει, in the insurrection) A charge most offensive in the eyes of Herod, who would therefore be likely to punish Barabbas with hearty good-will.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 7. - And there was one called Barabbas, lying bound with them that had made insurrection, men who in the insurrection had committed murder. Pilate appears to have thought of Barabbas, not doubting but that, by limiting their choice between him and Jesus, he would secure the liberation of our Lord. But Pilate little knew the temper of the chief priests and scribes, and their bitter hostility to Christ. The word "Barabbas," better written "Bar-Abbas," means "son of father." Mark 15:7

Vincent's Word Studies

Them that had made insurrection with him (συστασιαστῶν)

Fellow-rioters. But the better texts read στασιαστῶν, rioters, omitting the σύν, with (fellow): and the Rev. accordingly omits with him.

Who (οἵτινες)

Denoting a class of criminals.

The insurrection

Note the article: the insurrection for which Barabbas and his fellows had been imprisoned.