Luke 23: 1 The whole company of them rose up and brought him before Pilate. 2 They began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that He himself is the Christ, a king.”…..6 But when Pilate heard it, he asked if the man was a Galilean. 7When he found out that He was in Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days. 8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad, for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had heard about Him. He hoped to see some miracle done by Him. 9 He questioned Him with many words, but he gave no answers. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing Him. 11 Herod with his soldiers treated Him with contempt and mocked Him. Dressing Him in luxurious clothing, they sent Him back to Pilate. 13 Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one that subverts the people, and see, I have examined Him before you, and found no basis for a charge against this man concerning those things of which you accuse Him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us, and see, nothing worthy of death has been done by Him. 16 I will therefore chastise Him and release Him.” 17 (Now he had to release one prisoner to them at the feast.) 18 But they all shouted out together, saying, “Away with this man. Release to us Barabbas” 19 (one who was thrown into prison for a certain revolt in the city, and for murder.) 20 Then Pilate spoke to them again, wanting to release Jesus, 21 but they shouted, saying, “Crucify. Crucify Him.” NHEB
After a brief interview, Pilate decides to send Jesus on to Herod since He is Galilean. Herod has apparently heard about Jesus and is greatly pleased to finally meet Him as he is hoping to see a miracle performed. When this doesn’t happen, he sends Jesus back to Pilate. Now that He is before Pilate, the charge is now that He is king rather than guilty of blasphemy.
Luke 13:1 Now there were some present at the same time who told him about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. NHEB
Mark doesn’t tell us a whole lot about Pilate so we have to seek additional information in Matthew, Luke and John. In the verse above, we see a negative portrait of him as murdering some Jews while they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. Josephus also paints a dark picture of Pilate. Pilate shows up in the Nicene Creed (“crucified under Pontius Pilate”) which seems a little odd except that it reminds us that this is an historical event.
A problem that we often have is spending so much time focusing on understanding the text that we overlook the historical events and people that are being discussed. Early in his Gospel, Luke tells us that he has done the research so that his writing would be anchored in historical fact. When Paul is before King Agrippa (Acts 26), he reminds the king that all of the events that he has been preaching about were known and familiar to the king because they are public knowledge. Herod is not a follower but he confirms the reputation Jesus had amongst the people by his hope of seeing a miracle. Even when Jesus fails to deliver, Herod doesn’t call Him a charlatan (nor do His other accusers).
Mark 15:6 During the feast it was customary to release one prisoner to the people, whomever they requested. 7 A man named Barabbas was imprisoned with rebels who had committed murder during an insurrection. 8 Then the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to release a prisoner for them, as was his custom. NET
Rather than Jesus, it was the rebels in prison (the Zealots) who were the true insurrectionists. Part of their group included the Sicarii who were focused on assassination using small daggers. As Barabbas was imprisoned with these types of people, it is rather easy to imagine that he could be one of them. Historically, there is not much tradition around Barabbas. For some, he serves as an illustration of substitutionary atonement – he was scheduled to die but then Jesus took his place. This would be better if we knew that Barabbas went on to become a Christian since he could have just as easily gone back to his old life. Barabbas is not a name but a description. “Bar” is son and “abba” is father. Interestingly enough, there are ancient texts that identify him as Jesus Barabbas. (Jesus is a common name of the time). Not much need to speculate on him however as while the Gospels are pointing out that he is a real guy, he is otherwise unimportant to the story.
Mark 15: 9 And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 10For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. 12 And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” 13 And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” 14 And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. ESV
Is Pilate being facetious by referring to Jesus as the King of the Jews or just looking for an expedient way out of the situation? Pilate sees no reason to kill Jesus but despite knowing the right thing to do, he instead gives in to the crowd.
Matthew 27:19 While he was sitting on the tribunal a message came to him from his wife. “Have nothing to do with that innocent man,” she said, “for during the night I have suffered terribly in a dream through Him.” 20 The High Priests, however, and the Elders urged the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to demand the death of Jesus. 21 So when the Governor a second time asked them, “Which of the two shall I release to you?” —they cried, “Barabbas!” 22 “What then,” said Pilate, “shall I do with Jesus, the so-called Christ?” With one voice they shouted, “Let Him be crucified!” 23 “Why, what crime has He committed?” asked Pilate. But they kept on furiously shouting, “Let Him be crucified!” 24 So when he saw that he could gain nothing, but that on the contrary there was a riot threatening, he called for water and washed his hands in sight of them all, saying, “I am not responsible for this murder: you must answer for it.” 25 “His blood,” replied all the people, “be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas to them, but Jesus he ordered to be scourged, and gave Him up to be crucified. WEY
Earlier in this chapter, Matthew has given us a narrative describing what appears to some as Judas repenting and offering reparations. Perhaps there is a true repentance on his part but we are still left with the issue of his suicide. If you believe, like Augustine, that suicide is unforgivable then Judas has precluded himself from forgiveness.
Pilate makes a big theatrical show of washing his hands of the affair. It was an attempt to deflect blame away from himself. Everyone who was crucified was scourged first because the loss of blood from scourging made death on the cross occur much quicker. Verse 25 has been a source of anti-semitism with several New Testament commentators linking this oath to all of the bad things that have happened to the Jews since. Here is what https://biblehub.com/commentaries/matthew/27-25.htmEllicott’s Commentary for English Readers has to say:
No more fearful prayer is recorded in the history of mankind; and a natural feeling has led men to see its fulfilment in the subsequent shame and misery that were for centuries the portion of the Jewish people. We have to remember, however, that but a fractional part of the people were present; that some at least of the rulers, such as Joseph of Arimathæa, Nicodemus, and probably Gamaliel, had not consented to the deed of blood (Luke 23:51), and that even in such a case as this it is still true that “the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father” (Ezekiel 18:20), except so far as he consents to it, and reproduces it.