Pilate asked them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They replied, "Barabbas."

So he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified.

This is a significant event described in the Bible. Pilate, the Roman governor, was faced with a difficult decision. The people, influenced by the religious leaders, chose Barabbas, a criminal, over Jesus. Jesus, who was innocent and had come to bring salvation, was unjustly punished. This act of crucifixion is a central event in the Christian faith, symbolizing Jesus' sacrifice for the sins of humanity. It shows the contrast between the world's way of choosing and God's plan of redemption. Through Jesus' death and resurrection, believers find hope and forgiveness. This passage reminds us of the importance of faith and the price that was paid for our salvation.

I was initially reluctant to read this - a book about Christ's crucifixion? Why should I, an atheist, care?

But I read it all the same, and I must admit, I found it completely enthralling. It's a spellbinding book that fuses its setting so thoroughly with the present that you become absorbed in it, as if possessed.

Not because of any vastness of detail or eloquence, but because of the insight it provides about yourself and the world around you. Even though it's set in biblical times, it's an extremely modern text that will continue to stir the minds of readers far into the future.

Barabbas is the quintessential epistemological discourse. It probes the most profound inquiries about our reality without raising empty questions. It functions by way of exemplum, presenting a world much like our own, where characters are stand-ins for ourselves and the different mindsets we assume.

The lies we tell ourselves, the hopes we cling to, the moral ambiguity and disorder that surrounds us. It's a book that seeks not to understand the impossible but to understand ourselves and what we truly know.

And although its story involves the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, it's not in any way religiously biased. It's an impartial tale that presents a well-known Christian myth from a skeptic's perspective.

I, for one, found it engrossing to the most minute detail, and I don't typically enjoy reading religious books. Scene after scene, I found myself increasingly captivated. I was especially impressed by a scene that recalls Plato's \\"Allegory of the Cave\\", but expanded with more to say about the nature of understanding.

Like Lagerkvist's other masterpiece, The Dwarf, this is a perfect novel: every phrase is indispensable and saturated with meaning. It is brief, concise, and provocative, if not disturbing. It's a book that defines our world today better than any other I've read thus far.

Make reading this novel a priority for you.

Interessante ma non mi ha lasciato niente.

The author seems cold and detached. It's as if he wrote solely for himself and not for others to read.

There are interesting points for reflection (what happened to Barabbas after the crucifixion of Jesus?), but just like with Pellegrino sul mare, he failed to engage me emotionally.

Perhaps it's the writing style that keeps me at a distance. It lacks the warmth and passion that would draw me in and make me truly care about the story and the characters.

Despite the interesting ideas presented, I found myself unable to connect with the book on a deeper level.

Maybe others will have a different experience, but for me, it was an okay read that didn't leave a lasting impression.

The fact that the Gospels (both the canonical and the apocryphal) are laconic in many respects has encouraged writers to imagine "alternative Gospels", possible biographies, to draw "portraits" without a solid scriptural basis.

Such an imaginary portrait has been constructed by Pär Fabian Lagerkvist (1891 - 1974) in the present book. When Pilate from Pontius asks the crowd, they choose („To death with this man! Release Barabbas...”), and Barabbas wakes up free, not knowing why. He is confused, puzzled: he knew Jesus in prison, he didn't seem more guilty than him, he even looked at him with a hint of admiration. Who was the real "holy rabbi"? He wants to find out.

The novel thus records Barabbas' investigation. In Jerusalem, he listens incredulously to the apostles and is regarded by them with the same mistrust. In the end, the question that Barabbas (but not only he) asks is reducible to: „A Messiah who allows himself to be crucified... Who has ever heard of such a thing?”. Why should he accept death, and who would benefit from this death? The answer of the disciples does not satisfy him. And he cannot understand it either: Jesus "suffered and died innocent in our place... we [people] are the guilty ones, not him".

Barabbas' life will be an attempt to obtain certainty. He is a sceptical individual, structurally sceptical, he would like to take the leap of faith, but he cannot. Many cannot. You cannot believe something just because you want to. You cannot force yourself to believe. Faith is not a decision. You believe and that's it. Barabbas is not convinced by any account, by any proof. He visits Lazarus, the one who was raised after four days, and receives a stupefying answer: „What, would you like me to tell you something about the kingdom of the dead? I can't do that. The kingdom of the dead is nothing. It exists – but it is nothing”. The encounter was not useful to him.

He becomes a slave in a copper mine. He makes a friend, Sahak, he learns to pray, he gives up after a while, he doesn't understand the purpose of prayer. Sahak is taken out of the mine and asks for Barabbas to be released too. Thus, he becomes the household slave of the Roman procurator and accompanies him to Rome. The obsession of finding an answer does not leave him. When the fire breaks out under Nero, on 19 July 64, he loses his mind.

For Barabbas, the search was a failure: „Had his life had any meaning? He didn't even believe that. But in fact he knew nothing about it. It was not given to him to judge”. Probably, there is a Barabbas in each of us...

Excellent - simple, but well crafted.

It is understated, yet the emotions of Barrabas ring true.

The simple narrative structure is filled with a sort of bare-bones sense of being lost, sad, and out of place.

This is a book about loneliness.

It made me think of Cormac McCarthy's "The Road" - that pervasiveness of quiet despair.

The story seems to unfold in a desolate world, where the characters struggle with their inner turmoil.

The simplicity of the writing style adds to the overall impact, making the reader feel the raw emotions of the protagonist.

The understated nature of the story allows the reader to fill in the gaps and imagine the details for themselves.

It is a powerful exploration of the human condition and the effects of loneliness.

Overall, it is a well-written and thought-provoking book that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

This book is truly a terrific read, especially if you are a Christian.

It has the power to deeply impact you and shake you to the core.

The words within its pages have the potential to challenge your beliefs, make you question your assumptions, and inspire you to grow in your faith.

As you turn each page, you will find yourself immersed in a world of profound spiritual insights and thought-provoking ideas.

Whether you are a devout Christian seeking to deepen your understanding of the faith or someone who is simply curious about Christianity, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression.

It is a must-read for anyone who is looking for a spiritual journey that will change their life.

Mislim da nema hrišćanskih vernika (ali i ateista kao ja, koji se interesuju za sve) koji ne zna ko je Baraba (Ili Varava). On je čovek koji je oslobođen krivice umesto Isusa Hrista. Samim tim, on je i jedina osoba zbog koje je Isus Hrist bukvalno umro. Šta se s njim dogodilo nakon što je pušten, Biblija ne kaže. Iz te praznine, Lagerkvist je sklopio ovaj roman zadivljujuće inventivnosti i mašte. Za Barabu, on je stvorio čitav jedan život.

Pošto Baraba živi zato što je Isus umro za njega, on ima vrlo direktnu vezu sa njim. Bliži je Hristu od bilo koga drugog i ne može da ga izbaci iz glave, iako ga nikad nije upoznao, a video ga je tek pre nego što je na krstu na Golgoti ispustio dušu u mukama. Dva totalno suprotna karaktera: Isus, okružen svojim učenicima i majkom, koji sa tugom i suzama u očima gledaju njegovu mučeničku i dobrovoljnu smrt, njegovu žrtvu za spas čovečanstva i šire njegovui poruku o ljubavi. A nakon njegove smrti, Baraba – pun mržnje, nasilan, grub, razbojnik, ubica, nesposoban za dublje emocije.

Njegov otac je bio razbojnik, a majka ga je rodila proklinjući svet koji je Isus trebao blagosloviti. Ali, njihovi se putevi ukrštavaju i Baraba ne zna što bi sam sa sobom. U glavi mu odzvanjaju reči „Ljubi bližnjega svoga“ nakon što mu je njegova družbenica Zečja Usta objasnila smisao Učiteljovog učenja. Šta je ljubav mogla značiti za Barabu kojeg je mrzela čak i njegova majka od trenutka kada je prvi put udahnuo? Koji nikada nije osetio nikakvu emocionalnu vezu sa drugim ljudskim bićem?

Ipak, u njemu postoji ta žudnja – da veruje u nešto, da veruje u Isusovo učenje. Ali, stalno se vraća na pitanja koja ga zbunjuju, muče: „Mesija koji bi dozvolio da bude razapet... Ko je već čuo ovako nešto?... Koji su to luđaci koji veruju u takve stvari?“ Zašto prihvatiti smrt, kome bi ova smrt koristila? Odgovor učenika ga ne zadovoljava. A on to ne može ni da razume: Isus je „nevino stradao i umro umesto nas... krivi smo mi [ljudi], a ne on“.

On je skeptičan pojedinac, toliko bi želeo da veruje, ali ne može. Ne možete da verujete u nešto prosto jer to želite. Vera nije odluka. Barabu ne ubeđuje nijedna priča, nijedan dokaz. Posećuje Lazara, vaskrslog posle četiri dana nakon smrti, i dobija zadivljujući odgovor: „Smatraš li da bi trebao da ti pričam o carstvu smrti? Ne mogu tako nešto. Carstvo smrti je ništa. Postoji – ali je ništa“.

Završi kao rob u rudniku bakra. Uz Sahaka, hrišćanina, čoveka koji je s njim osuđen da bude zajedno na lancu, uči da se moli, ali odustaje nakon nekog vremena, jer ne razume smisao molitve. Sahak je izveden iz rudnika i zahteva da se i Baraba oslobodi, misleći da je i on sledbenik Hrista. Postaju kućni robovi rimskog tužioca, prate ga čak u Rim. Opsesija da pronađe odgovor ga ne napušta.

Lagrekvist u knjizi istražuje i prirodu vere, pitanja vere i sujeverja. Spominju se gubavci i robovi koji željno iščekuju pojavu Mesije, a samim tim nadaju se na bolji život. Ovi ljudi iz nižih klasa koji nemaju drugog načina da se sprave sa mukotrpnim životom, spremni su da se uhvate za sve što im daje nadu. A usred svega, Baraba stoji sam, uzaludno pokušavajući da se izbori sa sumnjom i željom u sebi.

„“Ja nemam boga“, odgovorio je na kraju Varava... “Zašto onda nosiš ovo „Isus Hristos“ urezan na svom disku?“ “Zato što želim da verujem“, rekao je Varava...“

Hteo je da veruje. Ali ipak nije razumeo.

This review contains details that only Christian brothers may understand.

Jesus Christ, the son of Mary, is a prophet of God, created by the word "Be and it is" and a messenger to the children of Israel. He spoke in the cradle to testify to the innocence of his mother "Mary the Virgin" and that he is the word of God. God said in Surah Maryam: "He said, 'Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet (30). And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I remain alive (31). And [He has made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant (32). And peace is on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive (33).' That is Jesus, the son of Mary - the word of truth about which they are in dispute (34). It was not for Allah to take a son; exalted is He! When He decrees an affair, He only says to it, 'Be,' and it is (35)."

And among his miracles are the following. God said in Surah Al Imran: "And [appointing him] a messenger to the children of Israel, [saying], 'Indeed, I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I design for you from clay [that which is] like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird by permission of Allah. And I cure the blind and the leper, and I give life to the dead - by permission of Allah. And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers (49).'"

In that time, the Romans were the masters of the political center in Jerusalem, and the Jews were the men of religion. With the spread of injustice and corruption, the prophet Jesus was the savior and guide to the path of truth, the helper of the poor and the weak, the healer of the sick, and the giver of life to the dead by the permission of Allah. With the increase in his followers and their faith in him, this matter aroused the jealousy of the clergy and the men of religion, and the war began with harassment, ridicule, and slander of him and an attempt to undermine his reputation in front of his followers until it developed into a crisis with the Roman governor "Pontius Pilate" when they said that Jesus would lead a demonstration to overthrow the Roman rule and that he was inciting the public and preventing them from paying taxes to the state. So he ordered the imprisonment of Christ under the pressure of the Jews' threats. However, after interrogating him, he did not see any political ambitions or threats to the throne in Jesus. Nevertheless, he yielded to the power of the Jews and did not order his execution but left the decision to them on the day of the feast, where the people would choose one of two prisoners, one to be released and the other to be crucified. Barabbas was the other prisoner who was arrested on charges of theft, murder, corruption, and sedition. It was the inclination of the crowd that gathered in the square of judgment, consisting of the clergy and their followers, to ask the Roman governor to release the corrupt Barabbas and crucify the truthful Christ, peace be upon him. Thus, a scene that tears the heart took place at "Golgotha," which is the rock where it is believed that Christ was crucified, and today its place is the Church of the Resurrection in occupied Jerusalem. In this scene where Christ was crucified between two condemned men for their corruption, injustice is manifested in its ugliest form. Here, in this story by the Swedish writer Par Lagerkvist, the Nobel Prize winner in literature in 1951, who made this criminal Barabbas the title of the novel to depict the situation he faced after being released, while he was the condemned man for his crimes because of this good man in whom people believe and talk about his miracles. This shock that he endured, for he was a hard and cruel man without a father, and at his birth, his mother considered him cursed, so he lived as an atheist who believed in nothing until he changed a lot after meeting Christ and considered himself fortunate for the life that was given to him, but he did not deserve it, so because of him, Christ was executed, and he became an outcast in society, and then doubts about God, religion, and the afterlife prevailed over him.

The scene of the interrogation and trial in the Holy Book, the Gospel of Luke 23
1. Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2. And they began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king." 3. And Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" And he answered him, "You have said so." 4. Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no guilt in this man." 5. But they were urgent, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place." 6. When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7. And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. 9. So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. 10. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11. And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12. And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other. 13. Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14. and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15. Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16. I will therefore flog him and release him." [17. For he was obliged to release one man to them at the feast.] 18. But they all cried out together, "Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas" - 19. a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. 20. Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21. but they kept shouting, "Crucify, crucify him!" 22. A third time he said to them, "Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore flog him and release him." 23. But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, and he delivered Jesus over to their will. 26. And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.

Another impressive scene that emerged from Christ, peace be upon him, when the men of religion brought to him a woman accused of adultery and demanded that she be stoned, so he said his great words: "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her!"

And there are many scenes that deserve contemplation.

*

Then I watched the film adapted from this novel, Barabbas.
Barabbas - 2012
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2535664/


And after that, I watched the controversial film, as is the case with films that talk about the prophets, which depicts Jesus or Christ, the son of Mary, from birth to execution.
Son of God
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3210686/?...

Barabbas by Bar Lagerkvist

From the Nobel-winning novels of 1951.

Who is Barabbas?

"Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, and said to them [speaking about Jesus]: 'You have brought this man to me as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined him in your presence, I have found no ground for your accusation against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; and note that he has done nothing to deserve death. I will therefore have him flogged and release him.' Now he was obliged to release them one prisoner at the festival. So they all shouted out together, 'Away with this man! Release Barabbas for us!' (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.)" Luke 23:13-25

Barabbas, the criminal whose freedom was granted and Jesus was crucified instead of him. Barabbas, who was searching for himself, who was convinced that Jesus' spirit had guided him, and then he wandered among the disciples, searching for the faith that would fill the void in his heart.

This short and beautiful story presents us with an internal conflict. If we were in Barabbas' place, what would we think we would do and what decision would we make? Barabbas, who was afraid of death, how could we see him going to the Jewish cemetery! Wasn't he afraid? Was the element of searching for faith more important than his fear? Perhaps...

Jesus is arrested, and Pilate, after careful examination, can find no legitimate reason within him to warrant a sentence of death. It has always been his custom to release one prisoner during the joyous Passover celebration. He presents the people with what he believes to be an easy choice: should he set free Jesus or the infamous prisoner, Barabbas? To his surprise, the crowd erupts in shouts, demanding the release of Barabbas.

This remarkable novel takes a fictionalized look at the events that unfold for Barabbas after he is set free. It delves deep into the profound questions of faith, exploring them with a beautiful and spare prose. The story not only follows Barabbas' journey but also forces the reader to confront their own beliefs and understandings. It is a thought-provoking and engaging read that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who picks it up.

Amazing. Simply amazing.

It is truly a remarkable sight that leaves one in awe. There it is, standing before us, a thing of wonder and beauty. And there you have it, a moment that is etched in our memories forever.

The details are so intricate, the colors so vivid, that it seems almost too good to be true. It is as if it is a work of art, carefully crafted by some divine hand.

We can't help but stare, our eyes wide with amazement, taking in every single aspect of it. It is a moment that makes us feel small in the face of such greatness, yet also fills us with a sense of joy and wonder.

And as we stand there, looking at it, we know that we will never forget this amazing sight. It will always be a part of us, a reminder of the beauty and wonder that exists in this world.

The experience of reading this was truly remarkable, somewhere between the profound works of Flannery O'Connor, Shusako Endo, and Dostoevsky. Just like those infinitely penetrating analysts of faith, Lagerkvist takes a deep and immersive dive into the natural human response to transcendent truth. He graphically details the searing intensity of doubt and struggle that individuals often face.

Also, like those great writers, this work can feasibly be interpreted in two different ways. It could be seen as an impassioned rejection of Christianity or, on the other hand, as a daring polemic for it. Even though my perspective is colored by being a Christian, I firmly believe that even the secular Lagerkvist has produced a compact theological drama of the highest order. This work leads us to deeply examine ourselves and our attitude toward truth.

His respect for the biblical source material and for the stature of Jesus is truly enormous. However, he is also Kierkegaardian in the sense that he only makes Barabbas believe once he breaks away from the rather unflatteringly portrayed church and its stigmas. Barabbas comes face to face with truth itself, and no one since could claim to have more empirical reason to believe. But he cannot believe due to the state of his soul after encountering this incomprehensible mystery. Christ weighs him down, oppresses him with the fiery inferno of consuming grace, and chases him down like the hound of heaven.

It is only when he realizes that he walks through the valley of the shadow of death that he finally feels comfortable surrendering himself to his Master. There were a few aspects here that didn't quite resonate with me, but this is surely a novel that should stand alongside "The Violent Bear it Away," "The Power and the Glory," and "Silence" as one of the great spiritually-charged fictions of the century of chaos. It is a book that understands the essence of biblical Christianity more thoroughly than many a mawkish devotional.