Insurrection? .
Yes, insurrection against Rome. What bible evidence is there?
The major clue comes from the Mark 15:7 KJV, where biblically the New Testament introduces briefly a rebel by the name of Barabbas - Son of the father. This name could also indicate that Barabbas was the son of a Jewish leader. More interesting is the NIV biblical fact that this rebel's first name we are told is also - Jesus.
Matthew 27:17 New International Version
17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”
As do the GNT, CEV, NAB, NET, NRSV versions.
Matthew 27:17 Contemporary English Version
17 So when the crowd came together, Pilate asked them, “Which prisoner do you want me to set free? Do you want Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”
What has to be asked here is what is the link between this rebel "murderer of Romans", Jesus and "the turn the other cheek, love thy enemies", Jesus?
Could it be insurrection?
We are told in the bible that for some unexplainable reason that on "festival" days of the year that Rome would offer a dispensation , that is to say exemption from a rule or usual requirement.
Matthew 27:15-17 New International Version
15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”
The bible says that this festival was the Jewish Passover. Really? Why would a Roman Procurator be interested, indeed feel obliged to partake in such festivals never mind release a murderer on the say so of the Jews? There is no evidence that this custom of dispensation of releasing enemies of Rome was ever practiced.
Looking at various versions of Mark 15:7 it is notable that the word - insurrection goes through a change and is altered to - revolt, uprising, sedition or rebellion which all happen to be crimes against the state of Rome with the only punishment being - crucifixion.
Are we to believe that Pilate a Governor of Rome would release a "murderer" and enemy of Rome rather than a passive sandal wearing preacher?
The answer can only come in Mark 15:7 where we can clearly read the biblical evidence:
Mark 15:7 King James Version " And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection". /revolt, uprising, sedition or rebellion.
Problem here though is that the only time any of these preferred terms are used is in that one single verse. Which can only lead to another question:
What rebellion!?
The only time we here of Jesus committing anything even near "rebellious" is when he is said to have overturned the tables of the money changes and driven them out with a piece of cord which amounts to nothing more than a hissy-fit and nothing at all even resembling a "revolutionary uprising" where Jesus Barabbas committed murder/s.
Or are the gospel writers simply playing down the role that Jesus the Christ played in what was in reality a full blown assault on the state of Rome and its puppet representatives?
It may well be the case when we look at just one of Jesus the Christ's disciples in particular: Thaddaeus......
.......TBC