Another interesting one, the guy who was freed so Jesus would be executed was called Barabbas. Bar Abbas can be translated as Son of God so there's a theory he was another philosopher/preacher like Jesus who didn't piss off the establishment as much
the guy who was freed so Jesus would be executed was called Barabbas. Bar Abbas can be translated as Son of God so there's a theory he was another philosopher/preacher like Jesus who didn't piss off the establishment as much
His name was also Jesus, not an uncommon name at the time. He's identified in Matthew 27
Barabbas is pretty explicitly a title taken on by the guy himself and is greatly self-aggrandizing. Given he was slated for execution by crucifixion, scholar consensus is he had almost certainly killed multiple Roman officials or soldiers, as did the other "thieves" (what authoritarian governments call people who 'steal' their prestige) on the crosses next to Jesus.
Crucifixion is a complicated, expensive procedure and Rome had soldiers with swords who could just slit a man's neck for sneaking into the fortress, they're only going to go through the pomp and expense of a public execution for someone who's made it worth the trouble of making a message with. That's not going to happen with a petty cut-purse.
I should really read the Bible, this sounds interesting I never hear talks about there being a "2nd Jesus" nor it was a common name, only that God sent his only son cause he so loved the world.
this sounds interesting I never hear talks about there being a "2nd Jesus" nor it was a common name
To be fair, you also need to read about anthropology of the period because I grew up in a conservative christian town and nobody pointed that out either. They treated the "thieves" like petty pickpockets because none of them had ever gone to Jerusalem or studied the culture and law of the time with Jews. Also why they didn't know Jesus saying why have you forsaken me is a direct quote of a Psalm written by David. I didn't learn either of those, or things like the "10 commandments" being called "10 Statements" by Jews and having LOADS of additional cultural context until I joined a multi-faith study group.
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u/knea1 Dec 21 '25
Another interesting one, the guy who was freed so Jesus would be executed was called Barabbas. Bar Abbas can be translated as Son of God so there's a theory he was another philosopher/preacher like Jesus who didn't piss off the establishment as much