How to Pronounce
Barabbasbeh-REH-buhs
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Meaning
son of shame, confusion
Historical Context
Barabbas: The Prisoner Released Instead of Jesus
Knowing how to pronounce Barabbas—beh-REH-buhs—matters because this name appears at one of the most charged moments in the Gospel narratives: the crowd's choice between a condemned criminal and the Son of God. Barabbas is one of the few figures in the Passion story known by name to readers of all four Gospels.
Etymology and Meaning
Barabbas is an Aramaic name composed of two elements: "bar" (בַּר), meaning "son," and "abba" (אַבָּא), meaning "father." The name therefore means "son of the father." This detail has fascinated theologians for centuries: the crowd chose "son of the father" (Barabbas) over the one Jesus claimed to be—the Son of the Father in a unique theological sense. Whether this irony was intended by the Gospel writers or is simply a striking coincidence, it has become one of the most noted naming details in the New Testament.
Biblical Context
All four Gospels record the Barabbas episode (Matthew 27:15–26; Mark 15:6–15; Luke 23:18–25; John 18:39–40). Pontius Pilate maintained a custom of releasing one prisoner at Passover. When he offered the crowd a choice between Jesus and Barabbas, the crowd—stirred up by the chief priests—chose Barabbas. Mark 15:7 describes him as one of the insurrectionists "who had committed murder in the insurrection." Luke 23:19 adds that he had been imprisoned "for an insurrection started in the city and for murder." John 18:40 calls him a "robber" (Greek: lēstēs, which can also mean bandit or insurrectionist).
Peter's speech in Acts 3:14 draws explicit attention to the exchange: "But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you." Early manuscripts of Matthew 27:16–17 refer to him as "Jesus Barabbas," suggesting Pilate's offer may have been framed as a choice between two men named Jesus—making the crowd's decision even more pointed. After the Gospels, Barabbas vanishes from history entirely.
Pronunciation Guide
Barabbas has three syllables with stress on the second: beh-REH-buhs. The first syllable is a short "beh," the stressed middle syllable is "REH" (rhymes with "red"), and the final syllable is an unstressed "buhs." The correct pronunciation is beh-REH-buhs. A common mispronunciation is "buh-RAB-uhs" with a long "a." Keep the middle syllable short and stressed: beh-REH-buhs.