Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
, son of Abba or of a father, a notorious robber whom Pilate proposed to condemn to death instead of Jesus, whom he wished to release, in accordance with the Roman custom (John 18:40; Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19). But the Jews were so bent on the death of Jesus that they demanded that Barabbas should be pardoned (Matt. 27:16-26; Acts 3:14). This Pilate did.
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
(son of Abba), a robber, (John 18:40) who had committed murder in an insurrection, (Mark 15:7; Luke 28:18) in Jerusalem and was lying in prison the time of the trial of Jesus before Pilate.p
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
BARAB'BAS (son of Abba), a noted criminal at Jerusalem who was in confinement for sedition and murder when Christ was condemned. Matt 27:16. It was the custom of the Romans to release some one prisoner at the time of the Jewish Passover. The Jews were permitted to name any one whose release they desired; and when the choice lay between Barabbas and Christ, they chose the robber. Matt 27:21; Mark 15:6-11; Luke 23:18; John 18:40; Acts 3:14. Pilate was anxious to save Christ, but at last released Barabbas.
The custom is said to have prevailed among the Venetians as lately as the close of the eighteenth century to release a prisoner at the annual commemoration of our Saviour's resurrection.
Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
son of shame, confusion