What did Barabbas do after they asked for his release instead of Jesus Christ? Did he continue to commit a crime?

 

barabbas disappears from the new testament after his release. he shows up in modern stories but there is no other historical information.

his part in jesus’ trial is interesting though. pilate was trying in multiple ways to avoid being used by the sanhedrin for their petty scheming against jesus.

• pilate tries publicly announcing that he finds no fault with jesus and attempts a release,
• later he appeals to the crowd to bypass the sanhedrin, and
• finally pilate has the idea of using the passover prisoner release to free jesus. so pilate picks a known criminal, thief, and murdered as the other release option thinking that surely the people would pick jesus over a violent criminal.
• but they don’t and now pilate is caught in his own schemes and has to follow through with the crucifxion.

prisoner release during local holy days is a known roman goodwill practice, but releasing an insurgent is not normal. pilate thought he was safe in making his offer but was shocked at the crowd’s choice.

release of the body after crucifixion is also a known practice, but again not for rebels. that pilate did release jesus’ body is another indication that he knew jesus was not guilty of any crime and regretted being trapped and a pawn of the sanhedrin.

barabbas was probably amazed by his release, but he doesn’t show up again.