barabbas
Very LowFormal / Literary / Religious
Definition
Meaning
A proper noun referring to the prisoner who was released by Pontius Pilate instead of Jesus Christ, as described in the New Testament gospels.
1. In historical and religious contexts: the specific figure from the biblical narrative. 2. In metaphorical usage: a symbol of a guilty person set free while an innocent suffers; an archetype of undeserved release or substitution.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Almost exclusively a proper noun referring to the biblical figure. Its use is almost entirely confined to discussions of the Christian Passion narrative, literature, art, and metaphorical extensions thereof. It is not a common word in general English.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Pronunciation differs slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
Identical religious/historical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialised in both British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] chose/released/freed Barabbas instead of [Object]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a Barabbas choice”
- “to play Barabbas to someone's Jesus (rare, metaphorical)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in theological, historical, literary, and artistic studies discussing the Passion narrative.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be referenced in religious discussion or as a cultural allusion.
Technical
Not used in technical fields outside of specialised humanities research.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We read the story of Barabbas in class.
- In the Bible, the crowd asked Pilate to free Barabbas.
- The painting depicts the moment Barabbas is released, his face a mixture of shock and relief.
- The novelist used the figure of Barabbas as a metaphor for societal scapegoating, exploring the guilt of the survivor.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Barabbas was the robber released instead of Jesus: remember 'Barabbas' as 'the bar to Abbas' (a barrier to the father, i.e., Jesus).
Conceptual Metaphor
INNOCENCE EXCHANGED FOR GUILT IS THE RELEASE OF BARABBAS. JUSTICE INVERTED IS A BARABBAS CHOICE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'барбарис' (barberry).
- The name is identical in Russian (Варавва), so it is a direct cognate with no false friends.
- The metaphorical use is equally rare in Russian, so overuse in English would seem odd.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'He was a barabbas.').
- Misspelling: Barrabas, Barabas.
- Mispronouncing with stress on the first syllable in British English.
Practice
Quiz
In modern metaphorical use, 'a Barabbas' typically refers to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency word used almost exclusively in religious, historical, or literary contexts.
No, it is strictly a proper noun. Attempts to verbify or adjectivise it are non-standard and extremely rare.
His release by Pontius Pilate, instead of Jesus, is a pivotal moment in the Christian Passion narrative, highlighting themes of substitution and injustice.
Yes, the most famous is 'Barabbas' (1950), a novel by Swedish author Pär Lagerkvist, which was later adapted into a film.