The Jewish leaders were resolved to have Jesus put to death. But Pilate could find no fault in him and thought surely he could use the tradition of a Passover pardon for one prisoner to free Jesus. To make sure, he offered that he would either free Jesus or the worst malefactor in prison who was scheduled for crucifixion that morning: the seditious murderer, Barabbas. When the Jews chose Barabbas, Pilate was astonished they would crucify their King. But the Jews said they had no king but Caesar; choosing Rome over the Jesus and the Jewish nation. Barabbas was freed and Jesus was sent the cross along with 2 of Barabbas’ fellow criminals. We can only imagine how surprised Barabbas was when he was freed! And we can only imagine what became of him but we can know it was one of two things. Those two things are illustrated by the thieves crucified on either side of Jesus. Either he died in his sins or he trusted Jesus and is with him.
