Illusions On the Way to the Cross

Matthew 27:15-23 The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

Matthew 27:15-23—> Jesus on the way to the cross —> everything seems to be right on track, but this passage seems to be a unique one.

Fascinated by the purpose —> but what we see is the message of the gospel, and the truth that we, if not careful, can be deceived.

Matthew 27:15–23 (ESV)

15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted.

16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.

17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”

18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.

19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.”

20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.

21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.”

22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!”

23 And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

BACKGROUND TO THIS EVENT GOING ON HERE

“Paschal privilege" or "Passover amnesty"

Passover —> release a prisoner —> whom the crowd wanted to free.

Previous passage before this one refers to the trial of Jesus, where he goes before Pilate —> charged with three crimes:

a. misleading the nation

b. forbidding to pay taxes

c. claiming to be king

Pilate, being governor, focused on the third charge as the critical issue since it was a kingship issue to Rome.

Pilate expresses his perspective of Christ in John’s account.

John 18:38-40

38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas (John 18:38–40, ESV)

“ILLUSION OF NEUTRILITY” —> Wanting to be in the middle of what was right, and what was popular.

Pilate —> viewed Jesus as innocent

Religious —> viewed Barabbas the robber as more desirable than Jesus

Pilate —> governor and politician —> he must 1) make a decision 2) appease the people.

Pilate thinks to himself “I can rely on this tradition of the releasing a prisoner to do both”

By doing this —> make a decision and appease the crowd.

Pilate relies on the tradition to choose Jesus?

Are you relying on other factors in your life for your relationship with Christ?

Matthew 12:30

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

So Pilate brings forth what verse 16 describes as a “notorious prisoner” named Barabbas.

16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible.

“Barabbas was a robber who had been imprisoned for committing murder during an insurrection. He was regarded as a “notorious prisoner”. His “insurrection” may have been an unusually violent act of robbery or an internal struggle among the Jews, but many scholars view it as a political insurrection against the Roman forces in Jerusalem.”

Early manuscripts —> name is Jesus Barabbas

Ironically now on stage with Jesus, the son of the Father.

Pilate thought to himself, surely the crowd would pick Jesus over this criminal. Surly the crows would pick the innocent Jesus, not the insurrectionist. He asks the question in verse 17

17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”

Pilate was still confident in Jesus being picked since he knew the heart of the leaders that turned him in.

18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.

envy —> threatened by Jesus —> no legal grounds

Trial of Jesus —> against legal procedures Martin Luther —> “There will be opposition whenever the truth is proclaimed clearly.”

19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.”

Wondered the purpose for this verse

Even in the moment —> God intervenes here by warning Pilate through his wife.

purpose —> testifies Jesus’ innocence and shows divine intervention.

God is in the midst of this, God is still there even in the darkest moment of history.

Even when there is evil in the world, God is still in the presence.

20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.

This is called the “ILLUSION OF CHOICE”. Crowd —> persuaded

Greek —> peithō —> convinced through persuasion

Crowd the week before:

Matthew 21:8-11

Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

This piggy backs off of the illusion of neutrality.

To avoid neutrality and to stand firm in your walk with Christ, we must be on guard on those around us trying to convince us other wise.

Do we still see this in the world? ABSOULUTELY

sin —> paid by Christ —> Satan will use it to distract you.

Scott Dawson Men’s Conference on Thursday, spoke on —> John 10:10

“Steal, kill, destroy” —> satan begins the process by stealing your attention away.

hatred —> murder look at someone lustfully —> adultery

Sin first entered through the world through persuasion! (Recall back to Genesis).

2 Corinthians 4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

“Satan’s main goal is not to make you bad, but to make you blind.” -John Piper

Pilate —> hearing that the crowd starts to shout for Barabbas, shockingly asks again in v 21-22:

21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.”

22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!”

Most important question asked here for us and for you?

“THEN WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH JESUS WHO IS CALLED CHRIST”

Pilate —> allowed Jesus to still remain under arrest.

Religious Leaders —> handed over Jesus to be crucified

US? —> What will you do with Jesus? What is the legacy you will leave behind?

What did the crowd answer to do with Jesus?

The crowd answers with the worst punishment known in this time, crucifixion.

23 And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

Pilate asks the crowd why, which he does not receive a reason. Only a shout of the word “crucify”

"ILLUSION OF INJUSTICE” —> We can leave this passage stuck with the idea that injustice is done here, and IT IS, but there’s so much more.

While Barabbas being freed is unjust —> Jesus died so we can be justified!

Jesus took the place of Barabbas so that he went from prisoner to walking in freedom.

One of the most important passages of the gospel —> why??? -> picture of Jesus grace and mercy.

Grace —> receiving something we do not deserve

Mercy —> withholding the punishment we deserve

Jesus does both of these things!

Barabbas —> innocent from punishment and receiving a new identity.

“God had to treat Jesus like Barabbas so that he could treat Barabbas like Jesus.” -Judah Smith

Who is Barabbas —> Barabbas is you! Barabbas is me!

Barabbas’ name means “SON OF A FATHER”.

That’s all of us! That’s you and me

We are all like Barbara’s, guilty, deserving the wrath, but now can receive freedom

Barabbas did not free himself. He did not earn or achieve innocence, he was granted it. He doesn’t turn to Jesus to thank him, there’s no record in scripture of Barabbas giving his life to Jesus.

Matthew 27:24-26

So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

I picture Barabbas celebrating in the crowd when I see this passage.

And Jesus still died for Barabbas.

Jesus died for you.

Jesus died for you to walk in the newness of life.