The Mystery of Barabbas: The Son of the Father

A Prisoner Named Barabbas

The Gospels recount that before the Passover, Pontius Pilate offered the crowd a choice: release one prisoner, either Jesus of Nazareth or a man named Barabbas. The crowd chose Barabbas, and Jesus was condemned to crucifixion. But this familiar story contains a hidden truth that most Bible translations obscure. The name “Barabbas” is not a name at all. It is a title.

Barabbas Means “Son of the Father”

In Aramaic, “Bar” means “son of,” and “Abba” means “father.” Bar-abbas literally means “Son of the Father.” This is not a unique personal name but a patronymic, similar to “Williamson” meaning “son of William.” Furthermore, early manuscripts of the Gospel of Matthew reveal that Barabbas had a first name. Matthew 27:16 in many ancient texts reads, “They had a notorious prisoner named Jesus Barabbas.” The crowd was presented with a choice between Jesus Barabbas (whose name means “son of the father”) and Jesus, who is called the Messiah. The title “Messiah” implied a claim to be the anointed “King of the Jews,” which was precisely the charge that placed him in direct conflict with the Roman political establishment.

What Did the Crowd Really Choose?

If the original reading is correct, Pilate asked, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Jesus Barabbas, [Son of the Father] or Jesus who is called the Messiah [Someone anointed as king of the Jews]?” The crowd shouted for Jesus Barabbas [Son of the Father]. Pilate then released Jesus Barabbas, the Son of the Father, and the other Jesus [claimed to be anointed as king] was taken for crucifixion. Later scribes, out of reverence for the name Jesus and to avoid confusion, removed “Jesus” from Barabbas’s name. The famous biblical scholar Bart Ehrman confirms this in his book Misquoting Jesus.

The Origin of Confusion

This textual alteration explains the origin of the confusion. The crowd was offered a choice between two men: Jesus Barabbas [meaning “Jesus, Son of the Father”] and Jesus who was called the Messiah [claimed to be anointed as king]. The crowd chose Jesus Barabbas [meaning “Jesus, Son of the Father”] for release. Pilate released him. The other Jesus (who was called the Messiah or the Anointed), the one the crowd rejected, was taken for crucifixion.

But here is the key: the disciples had fled, according to (Mark 14:50). They were not witnesses. Later, they heard conflicting reports. Someone was crucified that day, but it was not the Messiah. As the Qur’an states, “It appeared to them so” (Q 4:157). Allah made another man (perhaps Judas Iscariot himself) resemble Jesus of Nazareth.  According to the biblical account, the disciples appear to have been deceived. They followed conjecture, not certain knowledge.

A Final Warning

The Qur’an warns that those who differ about this matter have no certain knowledge, only conjecture. The truth is clear: Allah does not allow His prophets to be defeated in such a humiliating manner. Jesus, a mighty messenger of Allah, was raised up to his Lord in honour. The story of the crucifixion is a mix of textual alteration, pagan influence, and human error. The Qur’an restores the truth. As Allah says, “And Allah is the best of planners” (Q 3:54).

Haj Firas Naji