** This thread discusses the content article: Daily Devo/Bible Study - 2/25/2010 - John 18:38b-40 **

18:38b When he had said this he went back outside to the Jewish leaders and announced, “I find no basis for an accusation against him. 18:39 But it is your custom that I release one prisoner for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews?” 18:40 Then they shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” (Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.)[/quote]
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18:38b When he had said this he went back outside to the Jewish leaders and announced, “I find no basis for an accusation against him.[/quote]
So Pilate is finished with his interrogation. Whatever Jesus is, Pilate believes He's not a threat to Rome or a cause for concern. Jesus isn't a rebel against the Romans and so Pilate doesn't have any reason to charge Jesus with anything. He goes out and tells the priests and other religious leaders just that.[/quote]
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18:39 But it is your custom that I release one prisoner for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews?”[/quote]
Pilate had some sort of practice where during Passover he would release someone under Roman custody back to the Jews. This was probably done to appease them and to get them to like him better. Pilate doesn't want to deal with Jesus, so he gives them the option of choosing Jesus as the one they can release. Jesus was popular with the common people, so if the religious leaders wanted to make them happy they would choose Jesus. [/quote]
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18:40 Then they shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” (Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.)[/quote]
So they yell back that they don't want Jesus released. Instead they want a man named Barabbas released. Barabbas is Aramaic for "Son of the Father". It is highly ironic that they wanted to release someone who was merely called "Son of the Father" while wanting to execute the true Son of the Father. John includes the note that Barabbas was a revolutionary. The original Greek word could also mean robber, which the NASB and KJV have taken. This word, however, was frequently used by Josephus and other texts in that era to refer to guerilla fighters and revolutionaries. This adds yet another level of irony, in which someone who is actually fighting against the Roman government is freed while someone who is not will be executed.[/quote]
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It is amazing how deep the Bible goes. In John, just in this passage, we can see a complex interplay of events. A man guilt of everything Jesus was wrongly accused of was released, while Jesus, the actual innocent one, was executed. This man was also named "Son of the Father", which is Jesus' true designation. We can see how God worked through so much to provide such a picture of injustice toward His Son. Jesus was so wronged. But Jesus stuck through with the plan He was given. Despite all of these injustices He went through with everything. That's serious determination, sticking to His mission. I hope that I will be able to stick with whatever mission(s) God gives to me, despite any injustices and unfairness.  [/quote]