John 18:40 – “They shouted back, ‘No, not him! Give us Barabbas!’ Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising.”

Extended Explanation

This verse describes the shocking moment when the crowd, urged by the religious leaders, chooses to free Barabbas instead of Jesus. Pilate had offered to release Jesus as part of the Passover tradition, hoping to avoid condemning an innocent man (John 18:39). But the crowd rejected Jesus and demanded the release of Barabbas, a known criminal.

Barabbas was guilty of rebellion and murder (Mark 15:7, Luke 23:19). Yet the people preferred him over Jesus, the sinless Son of God. This choice is deeply symbolic: humanity, in its sinfulness, chooses rebellion over righteousness, darkness over light.

This moment fulfilled prophecy. Isaiah 53:3 had predicted that the Messiah would be “despised and rejected by mankind.” The rejection of Jesus was not just a historical event—it represented the broader rejection of God’s truth and righteousness by a fallen world.

Historical Context

During Passover, it was a Roman custom to release a prisoner chosen by the people. Pilate used this tradition to offer Jesus’ release, thinking the crowd would prefer Him over Barabbas. But the religious leaders had stirred up the people against Jesus (Matthew 27:20).

Barabbas was likely a member of a revolutionary group that fought against Roman rule. The Jewish people despised Rome, and many hoped for a political messiah to overthrow their oppressors. Barabbas, though a criminal, may have been seen as a hero by some.

Jesus, on the other hand, had not come to lead a military revolt. His mission was spiritual, not political. This likely frustrated many in the crowd who had hoped He would challenge Roman rule. When given the choice between a revolutionary and a suffering servant, they chose the one who aligned with their immediate desires rather than their deeper need for salvation.

Theological Implications

1. The World Rejects Christ – The crowd’s choice symbolizes how sinful humanity rejects righteousness and prefers sin. This rejection continues today whenever people choose their own way over God’s way.
2. Barabbas as a Picture of Substitution – Barabbas, a guilty man, was set free while Jesus, the innocent one, was condemned. This is a powerful illustration of substitution—Jesus taking our place on the cross.
3. False Expectations of Jesus – Many in the crowd may have turned against Jesus because He did not fit their idea of a Messiah. This warns us against shaping God into our own image rather than accepting Him as He truly is.
4. God’s Sovereignty in Redemption – Even though the crowd’s choice was evil, it was part of God’s plan. Jesus had to be rejected in order to fulfill His mission of dying for our sins.

This verse challenges us to ask whether we, too, are rejecting Jesus in favor of the things of this world.

Literary Analysis

John’s Gospel is full of contrasts, and this verse presents one of the most striking:

• Barabbas vs. Jesus – One was a violent rebel; the other was the Prince of Peace. One was guilty; the other was innocent. Yet the people chose the guilty man over the Holy One.
• Freedom vs. Condemnation – The guilty is set free while the innocent is condemned. This foreshadows the gospel message: Jesus takes the punishment we deserve so that we might go free.

The crowd’s loud rejection of Jesus (“They shouted back…”) shows their complete opposition to Him. This echoes the rebellion of humanity against God.

The phrase “Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising” is significant. It reminds us that the people were more willing to follow a violent man than the One who preached love and truth. This shows how easily people can be deceived by worldly expectations.

Biblical Cross-References

• Isaiah 53:3 – “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.”
• Mark 15:7 – Barabbas was in prison for murder and rebellion.
• Luke 23:19 – Barabbas had been thrown into prison for insurrection against Rome.
• Matthew 27:20 – The religious leaders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas instead of Jesus.
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse forces us to ask: Do we ever make the same mistake? The crowd chose Barabbas over Jesus. Many people today still reject Jesus in favor of things that seem more appealing in the moment—pleasure, power, comfort, or control.

It also reminds us that following Jesus is not always popular. Many in that crowd had once cheered for Jesus (John 12:13), but when pressured, they turned against Him. We must decide whether we will follow Jesus even when it is difficult.

Finally, this verse gives us hope. Just as Jesus took the place of Barabbas, He took our place on the cross. We are all like Barabbas—guilty, deserving punishment—but Jesus willingly took our sentence so that we could be free.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in how He allowed Jesus to take the place of sinners. The crowd’s rejection did not change God’s plan—He used even their rebellion to bring salvation.

God did not demand that Barabbas or the crowd earn His forgiveness. Instead, He provided it freely through Jesus’ sacrifice. This shows that God’s love is based on grace, not human effort.

Even though the people rejected Jesus, He still went to the cross for them. This is the depth of God’s love—He gave His Son even for those who despised Him.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus’ trial before Pilate fulfilled Old Testament prophecies and revealed His role as the suffering servant.

• John 10:18 – “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.” Jesus willingly took our place.
• Philippians 2:8 – “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
• Revelation 19:16 – Jesus will return as “King of kings and Lord of lords.” Though rejected at His first coming, He will reign in glory.

The choice between Barabbas and Jesus symbolizes the gospel. We are all sinners like Barabbas, but Jesus took our place so that we could be forgiven and set free.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think the crowd chose Barabbas over Jesus?
2. In what ways do people today still reject Jesus for lesser things?
3. How does Barabbas’ release illustrate the idea of substitutionary atonement?
4. What does this verse teach us about the power of influence and public opinion?
5. How should understanding Jesus’ sacrifice change the way we live?

This verse is a sobering reminder of humanity’s rejection of Jesus, but it is also a powerful picture of grace. Jesus took the place of Barabbas—and He took our place, too. Will we accept His sacrifice and follow Him, or will we, like the crowd, turn away?