Mark 15:7

Mar 15:7. Ἐν τῇ στάσει, in the insurrection) A charge most offensive in the eyes of Herod, who would therefore be likely to punish Barabbas with hearty good-will.

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Mar 15:7 . στασιαστῶν ( συστασ ., T.R.): this word (here only in N. T.) contains an interesting hint as to the nature of the offence committed by Barabbas and his associates. They were no mere band of brigands ( λῃστής : Joh 18:40 ), but men engaged in an insurrection, probably of a political character, rising out of the restless desire of many for independence, and in connection with that guilty of murder ( φόνον ), at least some of them ( οἵτινες ), Barabbas included. f1τῇ στάσει : the article refers back to στασιαστῶν = the insurrection implied in there being insurrectionists. Mk. therefore does not refer to the insurrection as known to his readers. Perhaps he knew nothing about it himself, nor do we.

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

(7) Bound with them that had made insurrection.—The fact that Barabbas was a rebel as well as robber is stated by St. Luke also (Luk_23:19), but St. Mark alone records the fact that his fellow-insurgents were imprisoned with him.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

7. one named Barabbas] There lay in prison at this time, awaiting execution, a celebrated bandit or robber named Barabbas. This word is a patronymic, and means (i) according to some, Bar-Abbas= son of Abba = “son of the father,” or (ii) according to others, Bar-Rabbas = “son of a Rabbi.” In three MSS. of Mat_27:16, his name is given as “Jesus Bar-abbas,” and this reading is supported by the Armenian and Syriac Versions and is cited by Origen.

them that had made insurrection] Barabbas had headed one of the numerous insurrections against the Roman power, which were constantly harassing the procurators, and giving untold trouble to the legionary troops quartered at Cæsarea and other places. In this particular insurrection blood had been shed, and apparently some Roman soldiers had been killed.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And there was one named Barabbas,.... A prisoner of that name at Jerusalem;

which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him: he had been at the head of a seditious mob, and he and his accomplices were taken and put in prison:

who had committed murder in the insurrection; which may be connected either with Barabbas, and read in the singular number, as it is in the Vulgate Latin version, "he had committed"; or with the seditious persons he lay bound with, and be read in the plural number, "they had committed murder", as it is in the Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions; and so in the ancient copies; and the Ethiopic renders it, "he was bound with seditious persons and murderers"; though, no doubt, he was guilty of murder as well as they; and so Peter calls him a murderer, Act 3:14. About this time murders were very frequently committed: the Jews say (r) that

"from the time that murderers increased, the slaying of the red heifer ceased; (the reason the commentators (s) give, is, because they were known who were accustomed to commit murder;) and that was from the time that Eleazar ben Dinai came, and Techinah ben Perishah he was called; and they called him again the son of a murderer;''

See Gill on Mat 27:16.

(r) Misn. Sota, c. 9. sect. 9. Maimon. Hilch. Rotzeach. c. 9. sect. 12. (s) Jarchi & Bartienora in ib.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

7. Barabbas — Styled by Matthew a robber, who was guilty of sedition and slaughter. In many ancient copies he is called Jesus also; and Pilate’s question reads, “Whom will ye that I deliver unto you, Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus called Christ?” The reading, though adopted by some scholars, is not well sustained.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And there was one called Barabbas, lying bound with them that had made insurrection, men who in the insurrection had committed murder. Pilate appears to have thought of Barabbas, not doubting but that, by limiting their choice between him and Jesus, he would secure the liberation of our Lord. But Pilate little knew the temper of the chief priests and scribes, and their bitter hostility to Christ. The word "Barabbas," better written "Bar-Abbas," means "son of father."

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Insurrection - A crime which the Roman governors, and Pilate in particular, were more especially concerned and careful to punish.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

7. στασιαστῶν ([3390][3391][3392][3393][3394][3395][3396]) rather than συνστασιαστῶν ([3397][3398]).

[3390] Codex Sinaiticus. 4th cent. Discovered by Tischendorf in 1859 at the Monastery of St Katharine on Mount Sinai. Now at St Petersburg. The whole Gospel, ending at Mar 16:8. Photographic facsimile, 1911.

[3391] Codex Vaticanus. 4th cent., but perhaps a little later than א. In the Vatican Library almost since its foundation by Pope Nicolas V., and one of its greatest treasures. The whole Gospel, ending at Mar 16:8. Photographic facsimile, 1889.

[3392] Codex Ephraemi. 5th cent. A palimpsest: the original writing has been partially rubbed out, and the works of Ephraem the Syrian have been written over it; but a great deal of the original writing has been recovered; of Mark we have Mar 1:17 to Mar 6:31, Mar 8:5 to Mar 12:29, Mar 13:19 to Mar 16:20. In the National Library at Paris.

[3393] Codex Bezae. 6th cent. Has a Latin translation (d) side by side with the Greek text, and the two do not quite always agree. Presented by Beza to the University Library of Cambridge in 1581. Remarkable for its frequent divergences from other texts. Contains Mark, except Mar 16:15-20, which has been added by a later hand. Photographic facsimile, 1899.

[3394] Codex Cyprius. 9th cent. One of the seven uncials which have the Gospels complete, the others being אBMSUΩ. At Paris.

[3395] Codex Purpureus. 6th cent. Full text in Texts and Studies v. No. 4, 1899. Contains Mar 5:20 to Mar 7:4; Mar 7:20 to Mar 8:32; Mar 9:1 to Mar 10:43; Mar 11:7 to Mar 12:19; Mar 14:25 to Mar 15:23; Mar 15:33-42. See below on Ψ.

[3396] Codex Athous Laurae. 8th cent. Like N and Σ, it is written in silver letters on purple vellum. Contains Mar 9:5 to Mar 16:20, and, as in L, the shorter ending is inserted between Mar 16:8 and Mar 16:9. As in Δ, the text of Mark is specially good.

[3397] Codex Alexandrinus. 5th cent. Brought by Cyril Lucar, Patriarch of Constantinople, from Alexandria, and afterwards presented by him to King Charles I. in 1628. In the British Museum. The whole Gospel. Photographic facsimile, 1879.

[3398] Codex Sangallensis. 9th or 10th cent. Contains the Gospels nearly complete, with an interlinear Latin translation. The text of Mark is specially good, agreeing often with CL. At St Gall.

7. ἦν δὲ ὁ λεγόμενος Βαραββᾶς. Now there was the man called Barabbas, a somewhat unusual expression; cf. Mat 26:14; Joh 9:11. The name is probably a patronymic, Bar-Abba, “son of Abba,” or “son of a father”; but it is not certain that Abba was used as a proper name so early as this. The interpretation “son of a Rabbi,” διδασκάλου υἱός or filius magistri, is ancient, but it is not correct. Bar-Rabban would become Βαρραββάνας. It was inevitable that the choice between “a son of a father” and “the Son of the Father” should be pointed out. The remarkable reading which inserts “Jesus” before “Barabbas” in Mat 27:16-17 is almost certainly a corruption. WH. App. p. 19.

τῶν στασιαστῶν. See crit. note. “The members of a faction, the revolutionaries.” They are spoken of as notorious. The word occurs here only in Bibl. Grk. The classical form is στασιώτης.

οἵτινες. “Who were of such a character as to” (Mar 4:20, Mar 12:18). They were desperadoes.

πεποιήκεισαν. No augment, as usual; cf. Mar 15:10, Mar 14:44. In Deu 22:8, φόνον ποιεῖν is used of causing death by omitting to put a parapet round one’s roof. Excepting this verse, στάσις = “popular disturbance” is peculiar to Lk. and Acts; in Heb 9:8 it = “standing posture”; in LXX. it represents eight Hebrew words. Here Syr-Sin. has “had done wrong and committed murder.”

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

7.] The circumstance that Barabbas was one of a set of murderers, shewn by the τῶν στασ. and the οἵτινες, is peculiar to our narrative, and shews that it is not compiled from Matt. and Luke.

Henry Alford, The Greek Testament (1849–1861) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

7. στασιαστῶν … στάσει—insurgents … insurrection. These words tell the story of Barabbas. He was just what the Jews accused Jesus of being, a man who had raised a revolt against the Roman power. He was a political prisoner, and it was only such that the Jews would be interested to have released to them. Their interests and those of Rome were opposed, and a man who revolted against Rome was regarded as a patriot. The fact that they asked for Barabbas shows that they were insincere in bringing charges against Jesus.

στασιαστῶν, instead of συστασιαστῶν, fellow-insurgents, Tisch. Treg. WH. RV. א BCDK 1, 13, 69, Theb.

International Critical Commentary — older volumes (1896–1929), various authors — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Them that had made insurrection with him [συστασιαστων] .

Fellow - rioters. But the better texts read stasiastwn, rioters, omitting the sun with (fellow) : and the Rev. accordingly omits with him.

Who [οιτινες] . Denoting a class of criminals.

The insurrection. Note the article : the insurrection for which Barabbas and his fellows had been imprisoned.

Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.