The Imprisonment of John the Baptist, Jesus and Barabbas, a Sign of Wisdom of Folly?
This article offers a brief exegesis of the biblical passages dealing with the imprisonment of John the Baptist, Jesus and Barabbas (Mk 6.17-29; 14.43-51; 15.6-15), followed by a reflection on the contemporary implications of these narratives. An analysis of the Markan texts highlights the political...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Print Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
2025
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| In: |
Concilium
Year: 2025, Issue: 3, Pages: 65-72 |
| Further subjects: | B
Other Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities
B Criminal Justice System B Imprisonment B JOHN, the Baptist, Saint |
| Summary: | This article offers a brief exegesis of the biblical passages dealing with the imprisonment of John the Baptist, Jesus and Barabbas (Mk 6.17-29; 14.43-51; 15.6-15), followed by a reflection on the contemporary implications of these narratives. An analysis of the Markan texts highlights the political and religious motives behind these arrests and reveals how the just, like John the Baptist and Jesus, end up in prison while Barabbas, a criminal, is freed. The author's analysis shows that the imprisonment of John the Baptist, orchestrated by Herod, illustrates power conflicts, while Jesus' arrest reveals the complicity between the Jewish and Roman authorities. Using these narratives, the author examines the penal policies of the 1st century and notes the absence of clear distinctions between political prisons and those for criminals. He criticises the tendency to justify imprisonment by principles of retribution. Reference to Matthew 25.36 emphasises the way Christ identified himself with suffering and prisoners, which is a call for an ethic of compassion and service. The argument leads into a reflection on the nature of prisons, understood not just as places of punishment but also as places of human suffering. The author suggest that society should evolve towards a more humane and theologically based approach to justice that would support a future without prisons, based on freedom and rehabilitation. |
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| ISSN: | 0010-5236 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Concilium
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