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Barabbas

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

The prisoner released by Pontius Pilate at Passover instead of Jesus, often symbolizing substitution, injustice, or collective guilt in poetic allusion.

Detailed Definition
Barabbas, described as a rebel or murderer in the Gospels, was freed at the crowd’s demand while Jesus was crucified—a pivotal moment highlighting human choice and divine sacrifice. In poetry, Barabbas embodies the paradox of substitutionary grace, the guilty set free while the innocent suffers, often symbolizing humanity’s redemption through Christ’s unjust condemnation.
Example
Example in poetry:
In John Milton’s "Paradise Lost," Barabbas’s release (Matthew 27) prefigures substitutionary atonement; In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "The Seraphim," Barabbas symbolizes the guilty set free; In George Herbert’s "The Sacrifice," Barabbas’s freedom contrasts with Christ’s chains; In John Keble’s "The Christian Year," Barabbas becomes a type of every sinner; In Christina Rossetti’s "Good Friday," Barabbas’s name evokes undeserved mercy; In T.S. Eliot’s "Ash-Wednesday," Barabbas’s choice reflects humanity’s preference for violence over peace.
Additional Notes
Barabbas: Insurrectionist released instead of Jesus (Matthew 27:15–26); his name means “son of the father.” The irony is potent: a guilty man freed while the innocent dies. In poetry, Barabbas represents substitutionary grace, human choice, and the paradox of liberation through another’s suffering. His obscurity post-release invites imaginative expansion—ideal for dramatic monologues on guilt, freedom, or undeserved mercy.
Also Known As
Barabbas the Insurgent Jesus Barabbas
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