At that time
This phrase situates the events within a specific historical context, during the Roman governance of Judea. The timing is crucial as it coincides with the Passover festival, a period of heightened Jewish nationalistic fervor and Roman political sensitivity. The phrase underscores the tension and urgency of the moment, as decisions made during this time would have significant religious and political implications.

they were holding
The Greek word used here is "eichon," which implies possession or control. This indicates that Barabbas was under Roman custody, highlighting the authority and power of the Roman government over the Jewish people. The act of holding a prisoner also suggests a legal process, albeit one that was often arbitrary and brutal under Roman rule.

a notorious prisoner
The term "notorious" translates from the Greek "episēmos," meaning marked or distinguished, often with a negative connotation. Barabbas was well-known, not for virtuous deeds, but for his criminal activities, which likely included insurrection and murder (as suggested in other Gospel accounts). This notoriety made him a figure of both fear and fascination, embodying the lawlessness and rebellion against Roman authority.

named Barabbas
The name "Barabbas" is Aramaic, meaning "son of the father" or "son of a teacher." This is deeply ironic, as Jesus, the true Son of the Father, stands in contrast to Barabbas. The choice between Jesus and Barabbas presented to the crowd symbolizes the choice between the way of peace and the way of violence, between the true Messiah and a false hope of political rebellion. Historically, Barabbas represents the zealot movement, which sought to overthrow Roman rule through force, contrasting sharply with Jesus' message of love and forgiveness.

(16) A notable prisoner, called Barabbas.--There is considerable, though not quite decisive, evidence in favour of the reading which gives "Jesus Barabbas" as the name of the prisoner. The name Bar-abbas (=son of Abbas, or of "a father"), like Bar-timseus and Bartholomew, was a patronymic, and it would be natural enough that the man who bore it should have another more personal name. We can easily understand (1) that the commonness of the name Jesus might lead to his being known to his comrades and to the multitude only or chiefly as Barabbas; and (2) that the reverence which men felt in after years for the Name which is above every name, would lead them to blot out, if it were possible, the traces that it had once been borne by the robber-chief. Of Barabbas St. John (John 18:40) tells us that he was a robber; St. Luke (Luke 23:19) and St. Mark (Mark 15:7) that he had taken a prominent part with some insurgents in the city, and that he, with them, had committed murder in the insurrection. The last recorded tumult of this kind was that mentioned above (Note on Matthew 27:2), as connected with Pilate's appropriation of the Corban. It is so far probable that this was the tumult in which Barabbas had taken part; and the supposition that he did so has at least the merit of explaining how it was that he came to be the favourite hero both of the priests and people. As the term Abba (=father) was a customary term of honour, as applied to a Rabbi (Matthew 23:9), it is possible that the sobriquet by which he was popularly known commemorated a fact in his family history of which he might naturally be proud. "Jesus, the Rabbi's son "was a cry that found more favour than "Jesus the Nazarene."

Verse 16. - They had then a notable prisoner. The plural verb must refer to the multitude, to whose class the man belonged. The Vulgate, with Origen, reads, "he had," habebat, referring to Pilate, whose prisoner he was. The man was notorious; as St. Mark tells us, "He lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, men who had committed murder in the insurrection." We have no account elsewhere of this particular rising, nor of its leader, but such commotions were very common, and under the guise of political aims were utilized for purposes of robbery and assassination. Called Barabbas. The word means "Son of the father," which some explain "Son of a rabbi," which is improbable; and it is a question whether this was his real name, or one applied to him with reference to his pretensions to being "a political anti-Christ" - "a hideous caricature of the true Jesus, the Son of the eternal Father." It is a strange fact that in some (not very trustworthy) manuscripts the name is given as Jesus Barabbas, which affords a remarkable antithesis in Pilate's question in the following verse, "Wilt ye that I release Jesus Barabbas or Jesus called Christ?" There can be no reasonable doubt that the prefix is not genuine, but has crept into some texts inadvertently.

Parallel Commentaries ...


At that time
τότε (tote)
Adverb
Strong's 5119: Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.

they were holding
εἶχον (eichon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

a notorious
ἐπίσημον (episēmon)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1978: Notable, conspicuous. From epi and some form of the base of semaino; remarkable, i.e. eminent.

prisoner
δέσμιον (desmion)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1198: One bound, a prisoner. From desmon; a captive.

named
λεγόμενον (legomenon)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

Barabbas.
Βαραββᾶν (Barabban)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 912: Barabbas. Of Chaldee origin; son of Abba; Bar-abbas, an Israelite.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 27:16 They had then a notable prisoner called (Matt. Mat Mt)