Why did the people choose to release Barabbas over Jesus?

Question

What possibly crime could Jesus have been charged with, if Barabbas was a known felon himself of heinous crimes (paedophelia, rape)?

Answer 1

Why?

Leaving the supernatural element of this story by the wayside, in the mob's view, Jesus had placed himself higher than the Caesar, the emporer of the country under the occupying Romans (Pilate's people), since Jesus was called by others the "king of kings", etc. This appeared to be an open challenge to the power of the caesar, a possible incitement to rebellion or the overthrow of Roman control. They wouldn't allow that even if the guy was the most peaceful of pacifists. Not a very evolved attitude, and not one I can truly say we've moved beyond, either. Pilate was reluctant to give in to the mob, but felt he had no choice.

As for the people themselves? Spite, from a people ignorant of who Jesus really was or what he represented; knowing only that he seemed to be a poser, a guy calling himself the son of God himself. One way people try to feel better than you is to bring you down, esp. when you seem to have built yourself up to unbelievable heights.

Answer 2

There's an interesting theory kicking around that "Barabbas" (directly translated: Son of the Father) and Jesus were the same person, and the story was injected in by early Christians to direct the blame at the Jews instead of the Romans. This was in order to try to make their stories acceptable to Roman authorities.

This is just speculation, but I always thought it was food for thought.

Answer 3

Because that was Jesus' appointed time to die. Though the situation was very wrong it could not have turned out any other way. The people were envious of Jesus and the works that he had done and you know how jealousy drives people.

Matthew 27:17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
Matthew 27:18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

Answer 4

No they chosen the incorrect individual doorknob, Barababas grow to be a homicide, and Jesus healed the ill and raised the lifeless. as nicely Jesus went to the bypass so which you will have a huge gamble to have a relationship with GOD. He went to the bypass for Barabbas and for you.

Answer 5

If they had released Jesus Gods will would not have been complete. The crime they thought Jesus done was claiming to be the Son of God! (they figured out it was no claim look what happened to the temple)

Answer 6

Obviously they didn't believe he was the son of God. He was a blasphemer, and a panderer in their eyes. This is a more severe crime in those days than rape and murder. The OT condones these other acts under certain circumstances.

Answer 7

Two reasons..first, Jesus was charged with blasphsemy because he spoke against the Jewish leaders of the time. Second...those very leaders had rallied the people against Jesus. In those days, if you spoke against the Jewish leadership you might as well be dead. To much power.

Answer 8

no one believed he was the Son of God. he was accused of blasphemy... acting to be someone they thought he wasn't therefore, the people decided to have him crucified. they were given the option to chose between them and they chose Jesus as the criminal. they also accused him of not keeping "saturday" as the day of rest, per say. Poncious Pilot believed Jesus hence, the washing of hands. he didnt want to have the Son of God's blood over him. it wasnt his decision but the peoples.

Answer 9

Still wondering if there's a deeper meaning to this one,
since son of God and Bar-abbas mean pretty much the same
thing.

Answer 10

Jesus claimed He was the son of God (which He was was) and that offended people. it was also prophesied that He would be crucified so it had to be fulfilled.