15:7a

And a man named Barabbas: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And a man named Barabbas is literally “there was a man called Barabbas” (as in the Revised Standard Version). This is the first time that Barabbas is mentioned in Mark. Introduce this new character into the story in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

There was a man named Barabbas (God’s Word)
-or-
There was a certain man. His name was Barabbas.

named: The word named here means that this man’s name was Barabbas.

Here is another way to translate this:

a man called Barabbas (New International Version)

15:7b

was imprisoned: Barabbas, along with other people, was a prisoner and had to live in the prison or jail. The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as was imprisoned is passive. It may be helpful to translate this as an active phrase. For example:

was in prison (New International Version, 2011 edition)
-or-
one of those in prison was (New Living Translation)

with the rebels: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rebels refers to a group of people who had rebelled and fought against the Roman government. They refused to obey the Roman authorities and had been involved in riots against the government.

Here are some other ways to translate the word rebels:

the insurrectionists (New International Version, 2011 edition)
-or-
some other rioters (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
men who fought against the government

15:7c

who had committed murder: The clause who had committed murder means that the rebels had killed people intentionally and illegally.

during the insurrection: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the insurrection also means “the rebellion” or “the riot” (as in the Good News Bible). This word insurrection refers to a serious disturbance or fight. It often refers specifically to rebels who fight against a government.

The phrase the insurrection means that this was a specific rebellion against the Romans that had occurred. It is referred to in a definite way by the word “the.” This means that the event was probably known to the readers. Barabbas and the other rebels had been arrested because they participated in this particular insurrection.

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