Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 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.
7. one named Barabbas ] There lay in prison at this time, awaiting execution, a celebrated bandit or robber named Barabbas. This word is a patronymic, and means (i) according to some, Bar-Abbas= son of Abba = “son of the father,” or (ii) according to others, Bar-Rabbas = “ son of a Rabbi.” In three MSS. of Mat 27:16, his name is given as “ Jesus Bar-abbas,” and this reading is supported by the Armenian and Syriac Versions and is cited by Origen.
them that had made insurrection ] Barabbas had headed one of the numerous insurrections against the Roman power, which were constantly harassing the procurators, and giving untold trouble to the legionary troops quartered at Csarea and other places. In this particular insurrection blood had been shed, and apparently some Roman soldiers had been killed.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And there was one named Barabbas,…. A prisoner of that name at Jerusalem;
which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him: he had been at the head of a seditious mob, and he and his accomplices were taken and put in prison:
who had committed murder in the insurrection; which may be connected either with Barabbas, and read in the singular number, as it is in the Vulgate Latin version, “he had committed”; or with the seditious persons he lay bound with, and be read in the plural number, “they had committed murder”, as it is in the Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions; and so in the ancient copies; and the Ethiopic renders it, “he was bound with seditious persons and murderers”; though, no doubt, he was guilty of murder as well as they; and so Peter calls him a murderer, Ac 3:14. About this time murders were very frequently committed: the Jews say r that
“from the time that murderers increased, the slaying of the red heifer ceased; (the reason the commentators s give, is, because they were known who were accustomed to commit murder;) and that was from the time that Eleazar ben Dinai came, and Techinah ben Perishah he was called; and they called him again the son of a murderer;”
[See comments on Mt 27:16].
r Misn. Sota, c. 9. sect. 9. Maimon. Hilch. Rotzeach. c. 9. sect. 12. s Jarchi & Bartienora in ib.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Bound with them that had made insurrection ( ). A desperate criminal, leader in the insurrection, sedition ( ), or revolution against Rome, the very thing that the Jews up at Bethsaida Julias had wanted Jesus to lead (Joh 6:15). Barabbas was the leader of these rioters and was bound with them.
Had committed murder ( ). Past perfect indicative without augment. Murder usually goes with such rioters and the priests and people actually chose a murderer in preference to Jesus.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Them that had made insurrection with him [] .
Fellow – rioters. But the better texts read stasiastwn, rioters, omitting the sun with (fellow) : and the Rev. accordingly omits with him.
Who [] . Denoting a class of criminals.
The insurrection. Note the article : the insurrection for which Barabbas and his fellows had been imprisoned.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
BARABBAS, NOT JESUS, RELEASED V. 7-15
1) “And there was one named Barabbas,” (en de ho legomenos Barabbas) “Now there was the one (well known) whose name was Barabbas,” called a “notable
or notorious prisoner, Mat 27:16; Luk 23:18, and called a robber,” Joh 18:40.
2) “Which lay bound with them,” (meta ton stasiaston dedemenos) “Having been bound or chained in prison confinement with the rebels,” insurrectionists, Mat 27:15-17.
3) ”That had made insurrection with him,” (oitines en te stasei) “Who in the uprising or insurrection against the Roman Government,” called also “sedition,” Luk 23:19.
4) “Who had committed murder in the insurrection.” (phonon pepoiekeisan) “Had committed murder,” Luk 23:19; and was worthy of death, Gen 9:6.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(7) Bound with them that had made insurrection.The fact that Barabbas was a rebel as well as robber is stated by St. Luke also (Luk. 23:19), but St. Mark alone records the fact that his fellow-insurgents were imprisoned with him.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
7. Barabbas Styled by Matthew a robber, who was guilty of sedition and slaughter. In many ancient copies he is called Jesus also; and Pilate’s question reads, “Whom will ye that I deliver unto you, Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus called Christ?” The reading, though adopted by some scholars, is not well sustained.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
7. ] The circumstance that Barabbas was one of a set of murderers, shewn by the . and the , is peculiar to our narrative, and shews that it is not compiled from Matt. and Luke.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Mar 15:7 . ( ., T.R.): this word (here only in N. T.) contains an interesting hint as to the nature of the offence committed by Barabbas and his associates. They were no mere band of brigands ( : Joh 18:40 ), but men engaged in an insurrection, probably of a political character, rising out of the restless desire of many for independence, and in connection with that guilty of murder ( ), at least some of them ( ), Barabbas included. f1 : the article refers back to = the insurrection implied in there being insurrectionists. Mk. therefore does not refer to the insurrection as known to his readers. Perhaps he knew nothing about it himself, nor do we.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Barabbas. Aramaic. App-94.
made &c. = been fellow insurgents.
who. Denoting a class of criminals.
in. Greek. en App-104. As in verses: Mar 15:29, Mar 15:41, Mar 15:46 : not the same as in verses: Mar 15:1, Mar 15:38.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
7.] The circumstance that Barabbas was one of a set of murderers, shewn by the . and the , is peculiar to our narrative, and shews that it is not compiled from Matt. and Luke.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Mar 15:7. , in the insurrection) A charge most offensive in the eyes of Herod, who would therefore be likely to punish Barabbas with hearty good-will.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Mat 27:16, Luk 23:18, Luk 23:19, Luk 23:25
Reciprocal: Luk 5:32 – General Joh 18:40 – General Act 3:14 – desired
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
7
Pilate knew about the situation, and he therefore was aware that Barabbas was a noted criminal whom no good society could tolerate.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.
[Barabbas.] Let us mention also with him a very famous rogue in the Talmudists, Ben Dinai; whose name also was Eleazar. Of whom they have this passage worthy of chronological observation; “From the time that murderers were multiplied, the beheading the red cow ceased; namely, from the time that Eleazar Ben Dinai came; who was also called Techinnah Ben Perishah: but again they called him, The son of a murderer.” Of him mention is made elsewhere, where it is written Ben Donai. See also Ben Nezer; the king of the robbers.
Fuente: Lightfoot Commentary Gospels
Mar 15:7. With them that had made insurrection, etc. Peculiar to Mark. Barabbas, doubtless the leader, was one of these insurgents and murderers.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
This verse and the next provide more background information. Barabbas was one of the popular Jewish freedom fighters whom the Romans had imprisoned for participating in an uprising against Rome. Later a large number of these revolutionaries organized and became known as the Zealots. Barabbas had also committed robbery, probably as part of his insurrection (Joh 18:40). Mark’s use of the definite article before his name implies that his original readers had heard of Barabbas.