The significance of the name Barabbas

As Catholics, we know that names are important. We name our parishes, our schools, and our children after saints and notable figures from the bible. The significance of names is not strictly a Catholic thing, however. The ancient Jews and the Jews of Jesus’ day understood the importance of names. While the significance of Abram’s name changing to Abraham and Jacob’s name becoming Israel are both incredibly important points to consider and reflect on, I think there is one name that it’s a good idea to ponder the closer we get to Easter. I refer to the name of Barabbas.

Barabbas is the criminal who, according to Luke’s Gospel, was put in jail for insurrection and murder (Lk. 23:19). He was released at the Jews’ request while Jesus was being tried. Barabbas’s name is extraordinary for someone so awful. The first part of his name, “Bar”, means “son” in Aramaic. Jesus uses this term when he dubs Simon as Peter, after Peter demonstrates his faith by proclaiming that Jesus is the Christ. “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in Heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Mat. 16:17-18, RSCVE). In John’s gospel, it mentions that Simon’s father’s name is John, which can be derived from Jonah (John 1:42). The second half of Barabbas’s name, the word “abba”, means “father”, as recorded in multiple places in the bible (Romans 8:15, Gal. 4:6).

So let’s think about the significance of this name. Barabbas means “son of the father”. He, the son of the father, went free while Jesus, the Son of the Father, was condemned. Barabbas was guilty while Jesus, innocence itself, was punished. While pondering this a while ago, it occurred to me that Barabbas was not the only “son of the father” to be guilty of rebellion and murder. Adam, the first son of God, was guilty of those sins, along with his wife, Eve. They both rebelled against God by listening to the temptations of the serpent and committed spiritual murder in eating of the forbidden fruit. And we, too, are guilty of rebellion and spiritual murder every time we sin. Just as Jesus offered no complaint when Barabbas was freed instead of him, he offers no complaint in freeing us from our sins. He suffered in silence so we, the sons and daughters of God, could be free. There’s no knowing what happened to Barabbas after such a profound encounter with Jesus. I like to think he changed from his rebelling, murderous ways. Regardless of whether or not he was worthy of such a name, Barabbas went on to live because of Christ’s sacrifice. May we, as adopted sons and daughters of the father in our Lord, Jesus Christ, do the same. God bless you.