Iisus şi Baraba. Un episod controversat (Mt. 27, 15-26; Mc. 15, 6-15; Lc. 23, 17-25; In. 18, 38-40)
Jesus and Barabbas. A controversial episode (Mt. 27, 15-26; Mc. 15, 6-15; Lc. 23, 17-25; In. 18, 38-40)

Summary/Abstract: Barabbas’s amnesty, an episode related by all evangelists (Mt. 27, 15-26; Mc. 15, 6-15; Lc. 23, 17-25; In. 18, 38-40) is an episode that rised various controversies. It was regarded as a legend or as a Jewish practice, applied by the Romans in Jerusalem, but also as “a public a bolition”, achieved through people’s acclamations. Origen’s writings, “Homilies on Leviticus”, or Jerome, “The Homilies of Sa int Jerome”, interprets the episode in the light of the scapegoat ritual. Barabbas would have act as the scapegoat, therefore, his release would have been equated with the release of the scapegoat from the desert. Another interpretation is related to the name of Barabbas, which, in Aramaic, means “Son of the Father”. Thus, it would be highlighted the antithesis between the true Son of the Father and the other one, who is not wearing His name and who is living his life, as a robber. But this version is less supported by the exegetes, as it will be exposed in the pages of this paper work. The reason I chose to deal such a theme is my wish to understand the rationality of the crowd who, shortly thereafter, laid the garments on the way of Jesus and met Him with praises, as a king, and after a few days, cried: “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”. At the same time, this character, Barabbas, is an enigma for me: Who was this Barabbas? Why, of the three robbers who were going to be crucified in the same day with Jesus, was chosen Barabbas? Does his name really means “Son of the Fa ther?” I tried to give an answer to all these questions, in my study.

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