Barabbas in the Bible - His Life and Story
Barabbas, a criminal on the brink of receiving his execution, gets set free by the Jewish people when they are given a choice between releasing either Barabbas or Jesus. Barabbas was most likely a freedom fighter who had taken his zealous actions too far. He shared a name with Jesus, but the similarities stopped there. Instead of receiving the punishment he ought due to his actions, Jesus takes his place and receives Barabbas’ warranted punishment.
Source: biblestudytools.com