Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 18:40

"They cried out therefore again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.)" — John 18:40 (ASV)

Pilate miscalculated the attitude of the crowd at this point. They had been instructed by the priests to ask for the death of Jesus; so instead of his release, they demanded that of a brigand named Barabbas (a guerrilla “resistance fighter” who was being held for execution). In the eyes of the people, he was considered a champion of a free Israel and possibly something of a hero.