Matthew 27:26: The Great Exchange

Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered Him to be crucified.  Matthew 27:26

“Broken bottles broken plates, broken switches broken gates, broken dishes broken parts.  Streets are filled with broken hearts; broken words never meant to be spoken.  Everything is broken.” (Bob Dylan, “Everything is Broken,” 1989)

“The soldier would use a whip of braided leather thongs with metal balls woven into them.  When the whip would strike the flesh, these balls would cause deep bruises or contusions, which would break open with further blows.  And the whip had pieces of sharp bone as well, which would cut the flesh severely.” (Dr. Alexander Metherall, as interviewed by Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ)

As mentioned before, some of the earliest manuscripts of Matthew identify Barabbas as “Jesus Barabbas” in 27:16 and 17.  Additionally, while Barabbas means generically “the son of a father,” Jesus’ title is “the Son of the Father God.”  Both Barabbas and Jesus were accused of trying to overthrow Caesar (see Mark 15:7 and Luke 23:2).  The one that was guilty of this crime was released while the One innocent was delivered over to be crucified (v. 26).  Several commentators have mentioned that the cross on which Jesus was crucified was most likely designated for Barabbas.    I believe it is no coincidence that these two are so closely intertwined. 

Barabbas exchanged for Jesus.  The guilty for the innocent.  The selfish for the Selfless.  The son of a father for the Father’s Son.   The criminal for the Judge.  Murderous rebellion for Perfect Obedience.  The taker of life for the Creator of life. The mortal for the Immortal.  One walks; One dies… Barabbas is everyman; we are all Barabbas.  

This “Great Exchange,” the guilty Barabbas set free and the innocent Jesus being delivered to be crucified, is a picture of what Jesus did for all mankind on the cross.   We have been spared the punishment for our sins while He took upon Himself the wrath of God due us (see Romans 5:9).   “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities…” (Isaiah 53:4-5).   “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God,” (2 Corinthians 5:21).  

Matthew mentions almost as an aside that Jesus was scourged.   Gory details are omitted.  Any details are omitted.   Maybe Matthew could not bear to write about such hideousness that Jesus endured. Maybe Matthew’s original readers were all too familiar with the extreme torture of scourging.  What was obvious then, is not so obvious today. 

Dr. Metherall , in his interview in The Case for Christ continues to describe what happens to the human body when it is scourged:  “The back would be so shredded that part of the spine was sometimes exposed by the deep, deep cuts.  The whipping would have gone all the way from the shoulders down to the back, the buttocks, and the back of the legs…” 

“and with his stripes we are healed,” (Isaiah 53:5). 

Jesus has experienced the worst that this world offers.   While earthly kings revel in their comforts, He is not immune from pain, suffering and death.  Rather He has walked through the fires of our rebellion and the hell of our rejection of God.    Jesus was the victim of gross injustice; Jesus felt the physical pain of excruciating torture; Jesus knows abandonment from those who promised to follow Him even till death.   He is not a distant god far away from the pain down here; rather, He drank from the bitter cup of the wrath of God designated for our punishment (see 26:42).    

 In Jesus “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses…Therefore let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need,” (Hebrews 4:15-16).   Draw near to Him.  For in Christ we have been set free while our reproach has fallen upon Him (see Psalm 69:9).  No wonder Martin Luther, as he contemplated the cross, cried out, “O the sweet exchange!”   Everything seems broken in this corrupt world.   But soon He will make everything new again (see Revelation 21:5).  Hallelujah!