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rulers with violence. Barabbas is likely one of them (Jn. 18:40).
He was in prison for insurrection in the city and murder (Lk.
23:19). The arrest of such a bandit ληστής and a violent fugitive
running away from justice, may perhaps need an armed party to
accomplish the task.

Jesus: Not a Bandit

However, Jesus was not a bandit. His teachings were
directly against the Empire and the local leaders and was openly
condemning the Temple authorities in the Temple premises
itself. He was considered to be a leader instigating the masses
against the Empire and was accused of claiming to be the King
of the Jews. But, Jesus was different from any Bandit (ληστής)
in that he was against the use of violence. Even in Gethsemane,
he condemns his disciple’s violent action and heals Malchus
(Lk. 22: 51). Jesus could be compared to a non-violent leader
who sides with the dispossessed common people against the
powerful rulers. Yet, a fully armed crowd is needed to take
him in, because his speech and actions were considered more
dangerous by the rulers.

The Manipulators and the Manipulated

The armed crowd is orchestrated by a specific group who
does not want to get their hands dirty directly. The Gospels clearly
spell out that the local religious leaders who work in collusion
with the Empire is responsible for assembling and sending this
crowd. The chief priests, elders, scribes and Pharisees (Mt. 26:
47, Mk. 14:43, Jn. 18:3) were those who send this crowd with
Judas hired as a guide. Luke’s Gospel stresses the involvement of
these men by pointing out that the crowd itself is comprised of
the Chief Priests, Officers of the Temple and the elders. Whether
the Chief Priests were actually there in Gethsemane or not, the
crowd was completely representing those who sent them.

The crowd has no specific identity or will of its own. It
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Lenten Meditations Re - Imaging People