What does John 18:40 mean?

Explanation

The passage in question, John 18:40, portrays a pivotal moment during the trial of Jesus Christ before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea.

The Jewish leadership had brought Jesus to Pilate, accusing him of claiming to be the King of the Jews, a charge amounting to insurrection against Roman authority.

Pilate, upon examining Jesus, found no basis for a charge against him.

To appease the crowd during the festival, Pilate offered to release a prisoner as was tradition during Passover.

He presented the crowd with a choice between Jesus and Barabbas, expecting that they might choose Jesus.

However, the crowd, instigated by the chief priests and elders, chose to free Barabbas instead.

Barabbas is explicitly described as a "robber," which could indicate that he was involved in insurgent activities against Rome.

The choice reflected the rejection of Jesus by the people and the preference for a political revolutionary over him.

Historical Context

John 18:40 must be understood within the socio-political environment of 1st-century Judea under Roman occupation.

The Passover festival was a time when Jerusalem was filled with Jews from all over, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt.

Roman authorities were sensitive to any potential uprisings.

The release of a prisoner at the festival was not documented outside the Gospels but may have been a Roman means of appeasing the occupied population.

Barabbas, identified as a robber, suggests he may have been a zealot or insurrectionist against Roman rule.

This context is critical in understanding why the crowd preferred Barabbas over Jesus, whose kingdom was "not of this world" (John 18:36).

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives interpret this verse in various ways.

From a Christian standpoint, the choice of Barabbas over Jesus can be seen as the fulfillment of prophecy and a reflection of humankind's fallen nature and the preference for worldly solutions over spiritual salvation.

It highlights the concept of substitutionary atonement, where Jesus is rejected so that Barabbas, representing sinners, is paradoxically freed.

Some theologians might also see this event as foreshadowing God's plan to extend salvation to all, even those deemed unredeemable by societal standards.

Practical Applications

In a modern context, the verse can be applied to illustrate choices between immediate, often worldly, solutions and following the principles of faith and integrity.

It challenges individuals to assess their values and priorities when faced with crowd mentality or popular opinion.

It can serve as a reminder to resist the temptation of choosing the convenient or the familiar over what one believes to be true and just.

Cross-References

• Matthew 27:20-21: "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."

• Mark 15:7: "And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection."
• Luke 23:18-19: "And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)"

Language Study

"Barabbas" is Aramaic: bar-Abba, meaning "son of the father," which holds an ironic contrast to Jesus, who is considered the Son of God the Father in Christian theology.

The term "robber" in Greek is "lēstēs," which can refer to a bandit or insurrectionist, indicating that Barabbas was likely more than just a common thief but potentially involved in violent resistance against Roman rule.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The choosing of Barabbas over Jesus can be compared to other myths and religious interpretations where a sacrificial figure is replaced or a morally ambiguous choice reflects the values of the society at the time.

For example, in some pagan rituals, a scapegoat or substitute is used in place of a human to appease the gods, though these differ significantly from the Christian narrative of substitutionary atonement.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, crowd behavior and the psychology of decision-making under pressure are relevant to this verse.

Studies in psychology and social sciences examine how individuals can be swayed by group dynamics and authority figures, often leading to choices against individual moral judgments, as seen in the selection of Barabbas over Jesus.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and commentators offer various insights on John 18:40:

• Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes the misguided choice of the crowd manipulated by their leaders and contrasts the innocence of Jesus with Barabbas's criminal background.
• The New Bible Commentary notes the political charge against Jesus and points out that Pilate's offer to release a prisoner was a means to release Jesus without a riot.
• The Expositor's Bible Commentary discusses the theological implications of the choice of Barabbas and sees in it God's redemptive plan at work despite the tragic choice of the crowd.