Azazel, the Scapegoat, and the Sin Offering: Understanding the Release of Barabbas and the Death of Jesus Christ
The Bible is rich with symbolism, and many Old Testament practices find their ultimate fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. One of the most profound connections between the Old and New Testaments is the ritual of the scapegoat and sin offering, which serves as a powerful backdrop to the events of Jesus’ crucifixion and the release of Barabbas.
This post will explore the deep theological connections between Azazel, the scapegoat, and the sin offering, focusing on how Jesus Christ embodies the ultimate sin offering for the world. It will also discuss how Barabbas—whose name means "son of the father"—represents a counterfeit savior, one who embodies rebellion and force, and how Jesus, the true Son of God, takes Barabbas' place and offers salvation to humanity.
Azazel and the Scapegoat Ritual
In the Old Testament, specifically in Leviticus 16, we find the ritual of the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), a sacred day where Israel's sins were symbolically placed on a goat, which was then sent into the wilderness. The two goats chosen for this ritual had distinct roles:
The first goat was selected by casting lots and was sacrificed as a sin offering, its blood used to atone for the sins of the people.
The second goat, known as the scapegoat, was designated for Azazel. The sins of the people were symbolically transferred onto this goat, and it was then sent into the wilderness, carrying away the sins of the nation.
The term Azazel is shrouded in mystery. Some scholars interpret Azazel as a demonic figure or a spirit of rebellion, often linked to the wilderness—a place of separation and desolation. Others view Azazel as a desolate region, an isolated place where the sins of the people were sent far from the camp of Israel.
In either case, the scapegoat ritual symbolized the removal of sin from the community. The people’s sins were transferred onto the goat, and it was sent away, never to return. This practice pointed to the need for atonement and the ultimate cleansing of sin, but it also foreshadowed the perfect and final sacrifice that would come in Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ: The True Sin Offering
In the New Testament, the concept of the sin offering reaches its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Jesus is described as the Lamb of God (John 1:29), the ultimate sin offering who came to take away the sins of the world. Unlike the repeated sacrifices in the Old Testament, Jesus’ sacrifice was once and for all, perfect and complete.
In Hebrews 9:26, we read: “He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” Jesus’ death on the cross was not just an act of sacrifice, but the perfect atonement for the sins of humanity. He bore the weight of sin and took upon Himself the punishment that we deserved. Through His shed blood, humanity could be reconciled with God, offering forgiveness and cleansing.
In the ritual of the Day of Atonement, the scapegoat was sent into the wilderness to remove the sins of Israel. In the same way, Jesus, as the sin offering, was "sent outside the camp" (Hebrews 13:12), bearing the sins of the world on the cross. His death was the ultimate act of atonement, fulfilling the ancient ritual and providing the final solution for humanity's sin problem.
Barabbas: A Counterfeit Savior
Now, let’s consider the striking figure of Barabbas in the New Testament. Barabbas, a criminal, a zealot, and a rebel, was captured after different encounters he had attacking and fighting against Roman authorities. He was the one chosen by the crowd to be released in place of Jesus. In Matthew 27:15-26, Pilate offers to release one prisoner to the people for the Passover feast, and they choose Barabbas over Jesus.
Barabbas means “son of the father” in Hebrew, a name that is both ironic and revealing. Jesus, the true Son of God, is about to be condemned to death, while Barabbas, a man of rebellion and violence, is set free. This contrast between Jesus and Barabbas is rich with theological significance.
Barabbas can be seen as a counterfeit savior, representing the false hope of power, rebellion, and self-sufficiency. While Jesus represents the true way of salvation through sacrifice, humility, and love, Barabbas embodies the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2)—the devil, who seeks to deceive humanity through force, strength, and pride. Barabbas is a man who thinks he can take what he wants by his own strength, by violence and rebellion, much like the way the devil works in the world, tempting people to rely on their own power instead of God’s provision.
In this sense, Barabbas is a figure who rejects the sacrificial path that Jesus walked, choosing instead the way of rebellion and force. He symbolizes humanity’s tendency to choose the easy path—one that appears to offer immediate gratification, but leads to destruction.
Jesus as Barabbas’ Substitute
The irony of the release of Barabbas is profound: while Barabbas is guilty of rebellion and violence, Jesus is innocent. Yet, in an act of substitution, Jesus takes Barabbas' place. Barabbas, the man who deserved punishment, is set free, while Jesus, the innocent Son of God, bears the punishment for all of humanity’s sin.
Barabbas, in this moment, becomes a symbol of every sinner—guilty, condemned, and deserving of death. Yet, in the most powerful exchange in history, Jesus, the sin offering, takes Barabbas’ place and dies in his stead. Jesus is Barabbas' substitute, just as He is the substitute for all who would believe in Him.
In a spiritual sense, Barabbas is the first man to be saved through Jesus’ sacrifice. He is set free, not because of anything he did, but because Jesus, the true Son of God, willingly took the punishment that Barabbas (and all humanity) deserved. This moment foreshadows the gospel message that Jesus came to die for the ungodly, to offer grace and forgiveness to all who recognize their need for it.
The True Savior vs. the Counterfeit Savior
Barabbas represents a counterfeit savior, one who operates by force, rebellion, and human strength. Jesus, on the other hand, represents the true Savior, who brings salvation through His sacrificial love. The world might choose Barabbas, drawn to power and violence, but Jesus offers a different way—the way of sacrifice, humility, and grace. Jesus’ death on the cross for the sins of the world provides a way for humanity to be reconciled with God—not through might or rebellion, but through self-sacrificial love.
In the final analysis, the release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus serve as a spiritual metaphor for the choices we face today. Will we choose the way of rebellion, self-reliance, and force (represented by Barabbas)? Or will we choose the path of surrender, grace, and sacrificial love, exemplified by Jesus? The gospel calls us to abandon the counterfeit saviors of this world and trust in the true Savior, who laid down His life so that we might live.
Conclusion: The Ultimate Exchange
The release of Barabbas and the death of Jesus provide a powerful illustration of the great exchange that took place at the cross. Barabbas, a man deserving of death, is released while Jesus, the innocent Son of God, takes his place. This moment not only fulfills the ancient ritual of the scapegoat but points to the ultimate sin offering: Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, offering forgiveness and salvation to all who believe.
In this profound exchange, Barabbas stands as a symbol of humanity’s rebellion and sin, and Jesus stands as the true substitute, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Just as the scapegoat carried away the sins of Israel, so Jesus carried away the sins of the world, offering us the gift of eternal life. Jesus is our true Savior, and in Him, we find forgiveness, reconciliation, and hope.
