"Barabbas, pr. name"
Definition and meaning
Barabbas, pr. name
In the original Greek the word is written: Βαραββᾶς
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of barabbas (G912) across the King James Bible.
And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
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?
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.
But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.
And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:
Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
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Common questions
Strong's G912 (barabbas) is a Greek word that means: Barabbas, pr. name It appears 10 times in the King James Bible.
The word barabbas (G912) appears 10 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G912 is barabbas, a Greek word defined as: Barabbas, pr. name. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
barabbas is a Greek word found in the New Testament.