Knowing and Choosing the Real Jesus (Matthew 27:15-26).

Class Outline:

Thursday April 2, 2026

 

Intro: Barabbas Syndrome - choosing the wrong saviors.

 

Main Idea: Every human heart stands on trial before Jesus, forced to answer Pilate’s question: “Which of the two do you want me to release for you—Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ?” There is no neutrality. People will either choose the false messiah who matches their worldly desires (power, force, popularity) or the true Messiah who is the suffering Son of God. Our choice shapes our hearts and our destiny.

 

Imagine the scene: Jesus—beaten, bloodied, mercilessly scourged—stands tied before Pilate. A crown of thorns digs into His scalp; a mocking purple robe hangs on His shoulders. Pilate turns to the surging crowd that has poured out at sunrise, drawn by the rumor that the Sanhedrin has already condemned this man to death. ‘Whom do you want me to release for you?’ Pilate shouts. ‘Jesus Barabbas—or Jesus who is called Christ?’

 

Can a person remain neutral when it comes to Jesus? No. 

 

MAT 12:30

“He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.”

 

1. The Divine Setup: God Forces a Choice (Matt 27:15-17)

 

MAT 27:15-26

Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" 18 For he knew that because of envy they had handed Him over.

 

19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, "Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him." 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death. 21 But the governor said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release for you?" And they said, "Barabbas." 22 Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said, "Crucify Him!" 23 And he said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they kept shouting all the more, saying, "Crucify Him!"

 

24 When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this Man's blood; see to that yourselves." 25 And all the people said, "His blood shall be on us and on our children!" 26 Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.

 

Barabbas was “notorious” (literally; “of note” or “mark upon”) or popular perhaps. He was willing to use force against Rome which is what impressed the people, which we can assume since that is the kind of Messiah the people thought was coming - a general, warrior, conqueror.

 

Evidence is fairly strong that his name was Jesus Barabbas. 

 

Many commentators believe that “Jesus” Barabbas was in the original. Jesus was a common name.

 

The irony gets thicker: Jesus Barabbas or Jesus called Christ?

 

And now watch the irony get thickest:

 

Barabbas means “son of Abba.”

 

Barabbas was Jesus son of Abba (father).

 

“So why did the crowd pick the wrong Jesus?” They had a wrong idea of their Savior, as the world continues to do.

 

2. The Counterfeit Barabbas vs. the True King (17-21)

 

Barabbas: notorious, violent “patriot”/terrorist who used force against Rome—exactly the warrior-messiah the people wanted.

 

JOH 6:15

So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king,

 

Jesus: the suffering Servant who conquers not with legions of angels but with a cross.

 

3. The Cowardly Evasion: Passing the Buck While the King Stands Silent (Matt 27:22-26)

 

Pilate’s three weak questions (Matthew loves 3s), the wife’s dream (God speaking even to outsiders; Julius Caesar’s wife’s dream), the hand-washing, the cry “His blood be on us and on our children!”

 

All evasion, claims of not-guilty.

 

Contrast with Christ’s backbone: He never wavers (ISA 53:7 - silent lamb).

 

 

Leadership lesson: True backbone is picking up your cross and leaning on Christ moment by moment.

 

Applications:

 

1. Examine your Jesus. Is the Christ you follow the one from Scripture, or a Barabbas-like version shaped by culture, politics, or personal comfort? Test yourself (2 Cor 11:3-4).

 

2CO 11:1-4

I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me. 2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. 3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. 4 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.

 

Which do you want?

 

2. Reject neutrality. Every day you cast a vote—by your words, time, money, obedience. “He who does not gather with Me scatters.”

 

3. Take responsibility. Stop the hand-washing. Confess sin quickly, receive forgiveness, and live forgiven.

 

4. Proclaim the true King. Like the Great Shepherd in Zechariah 11, Jesus still pastures His flock. Tell others the real story before they choose a counterfeit.

 

5. Live with backbone. (courage, the paradox of life and death) Pick up your cross daily. Popular opinion never stopped Jesus; it shouldn’t stop you.