Bible Question: Did Barabbas have a first (given) name? |
Bible Answer: In early history, there was not the idea of last names as we know today. Barabbas was the name given to this person, but it is easily broken down. Bar means simply, son, or son of. See Mark 10:46 where it says, "And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging." Jesus also mentions, 'Simon Barjona' in Mat 16:17 So, since abba means father, (Strongs #G5), Barabbas would mean Son of Father. It is quite indicative of the wickedness in the hearts of the crowd when they were given the choice to either release Jesus, who committed no crime, or to release Barabbas, "And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas" Meaning, release to us son of father, who was a worldly substitute in lieu of releasing the real Son of the real Father |