Why did the crowd choose Barabbas over Jesus in Matthew 27:21? Matthew 27:21 – The Turning Point “‘Which of the two do you want me to release to you?’ asked the governor. ‘Barabbas,’ they replied.” Setting the Scene • Roman governor Pontius Pilate is presiding over a Passover custom that allowed one prisoner to be released. • Two options stand before the people: – Jesus of Nazareth, whose only “crime” is claiming to be the Messiah and King in truth (John 18:36-37). – Barabbas, a “notorious prisoner” (Matthew 27:16) involved in insurrection and murder (Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19). • The chief priests and elders have already decided Jesus must die (Matthew 26:3-4) and have stirred up the crowd (Matthew 27:20). Who Was Barabbas? • A violent rebel who fought Rome, fitting the popular zealot image (Luke 23:19). • The name can mean “son of the father,” a dark irony beside the true Son of the Father. • To many Jews, Barabbas symbolized the kind of immediate political salvation they desired. Key Reasons the Crowd Chose Barabbas 1. Spiritual Blindness and Hardened Hearts • Isaiah 53:3: “He was despised and rejected by men.” • John 12:37-40 notes that, despite Jesus’ signs, many would not believe so that prophecy would be fulfilled. • Sin blinds; the crowd could not see the innocent Lamb before them (1 Corinthians 2:14). 2. Influence of Religious Leaders • “The chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas” (Matthew 27:20). • Mark 15:11 adds they “stirred up” the people—active manipulation by trusted authorities. • Their envy (Matthew 27:18) over Jesus’ popularity and authority drove them to plot His death (John 11:48-50). 3. Political Expectations of Messiah • Many expected a conquering king to overthrow Rome (John 6:14-15). • Jesus preached a kingdom “not of this world” (John 18:36), disappointing nationalist hopes. • Barabbas, a proven insurrectionist, looked more like the savior they wanted. 4. Fear and Mob Mentality • Pilate banked on the crowd choosing Jesus, but mob pressure snowballed (Matthew 27:24). • Proverbs 29:25: “The fear of man brings a snare.” • Once momentum shifted, individuals preferred safety in numbers over righteous dissent. 5. God’s Sovereign Plan • Acts 2:23: Jesus was “delivered by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God.” • Isaiah 53:10: “It pleased the LORD to crush Him.” • The choice of Barabbas over Jesus ensured the cross, fulfilling redemptive prophecy (Psalm 22). What This Reveals About the Human Heart • We gravitate toward immediate, tangible solutions—even violent ones—over spiritual truth. • We are prone to manipulation when we neglect Scripture (Hosea 4:6). • Without new birth (John 3:3), we reject the righteous for the unrighteous. Lessons for Today • Guard against spiritual blindness by treasuring God’s Word (Psalm 119:11). • Test every influence—even respected voices—against Scripture (Acts 17:11). • Reject the pull of the crowd when it contradicts Christ (Romans 12:2). • Remember: God’s purposes cannot be thwarted; what seemed tragic became our salvation (Romans 8:28-32). Supporting Passages for Deeper Study • Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:18-25; John 18:39-40 — parallel accounts. • Acts 3:14-15 — Peter’s indictment, “You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.” • 1 Peter 3:18 — “Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” The crowd’s cry for Barabbas laid bare humanity’s blindness, yet God turned that darkest choice into the brightest hope: Christ crucified and risen, the true deliverance we all need. |
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