Redeeming Barabbas
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Finding a glorious illustration of the Gospel in the exchange of the innocent man, Jesus, for the guilty man, Barabbas!
Text: Luke 23:18-25
Date: 01/18/2026, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 218
Description:
As Luke's narrative of Jesus' trial before Pilate comes to an end, we will witness one of the most extraordinary events in Redemptive History: when the people Jesus came to save, willingly exchange His perfect righteousness and holiness for a violent, murderous criminal named Barabbas. We will make our way through the text noticing Pilate's clear acknowledgment of Jesus' innocence, as compared to the established guilt of Barabbas. And yet, when given the choice of who to release, the people loudly and decisively condemn Jesus and pardon Barabbas. Ultimately we will find in this travesty of justice, a glorious illustration of the Gospel, as the life of the One who was perfectly innocent is exchanged to redeem the life of the one who is guilty and deserving of condemnation.
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I. Introduction, Gen. 1:31, 3:7,21; Lev. 4:27,28; Heb. 10:4; 1Pet. 1:19; Eph. 5:27; Acts 3:14.
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 23:18-25.
A. Context
1. Recapturing Luke's flow of thought, Luke 23:4,14.
2. Pilate's precarious situation.
B. Condemning innocence to pardon guilt.
1. Setting the scene.
a. A missing verse, vs. 17, Mark 15:6-11.
b. Pilate's rationale, Luke 23:2.
2. The cry for Barabbas, vs. 18-19.
a. The growing crowd, Luke 23:13.
b. Introducing Barabbas.
i. Looking at the name.
ii. Looking at the man.
iii. Analyzing "why", Ex. 20:13; Lev. 24:17.
1) Disappointment in Messianic expectations, Luke 19:41-44.
2) A potential folk-hero.
3) Hatred of Pilate.
4) The manipulation of the chief priests, Mark 15:11; John 19:6.
3. Pilate's "second" attempt, vs. 20-21.
a. Pilate's tenacity, vs. 20.
b. The turn to evil, vs. 21.
4. Pilate's "third" attempt, vs. 22-23.
a. Pilate's question, vs. 22.
i. Reconciling the "third time", Luke 23:15-16.
ii. Pilate's frustration, John 3:19-20.
iii. A second offer of punishment, John 19:1.
b. What the crowd replies, vs. 23.
i. The mob mentality takes hold, Luke 5:1; Acts 27:20; Matt. 27:24.
ii. The great injustice, Luke 23:23.
5. The miscarriage of justice, vs. 24-25.
a. Granting their request, vs. 24, Matt. 27:24.
b. The unjust exchange, vs. 25.
i. Releasing Barabbas, Acts 3:13-14.
ii. Condemning Jesus, Luke 4:6, 21:16; Isa. 53:6,12.
c. The will of the people.
III. Application
A. General principles from the text.
1. God's sovereignty.
2. Human responsibility.
B. The illustration of the Gospel.
1. Re-establishing the scene, John 19:5,14; Mark 15:9; Matt. 27:17.
2. The people's choice, Luke 23:18,21.
3. The exchange.
IV. Conclusion
