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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
For they thought they could add this, namely, that Jesus was worse than a robber, and so wicked, that neither for mercy's sake, or by the privilege of the feast, ought He to be let free.
Theophylact of Ohrid
For the Romans permitted the Jews to live according to their own laws and customs. And it was a natural custom of the Jews to seek pardon of the prince for those who were condemned, as they asked Jonathan of Saul. And hence it is now added, with respect to their petition, And they cried all at once, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas, &c. (1 Sam. 14:45.)
Western Saints
Ambrose of Milan
But what about those who crucified the Lord of majesty? It is not without reason that murderers seek absolution, as they sought the destruction of the innocent. Such unjust laws have the quality of hating innocence and loving crime. However, in the interpretation of the name, it gives the appearance of a figure; for Barabbas is translated to mean 'son of the father' in Latin: therefore, those to whom it is said, 'You are of your father the devil,' are shown to prefer the son of their father, Antichrist, over the true Son of God.
Bede
But the whole crowd shouted together, saying: Away with this one, and release to us Barabbas, who for a certain sedition made in the city and for murder, was thrown into prison. The Jews' request remains with them until today, which they obtained with so much effort. …
Bonaventure
And this offering was according to the custom of clemency, but the perversity of the Jews refuses this in regard to Christ; and therefore he adds: But the whole crowd cried out together, saying: Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas. Now the crowd sought this at the suggestion of the chief priests and scribes; whence Mark 15: "But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, that he should rather release Barabbas to them." And in this their cruelty is apparent, because they preferred a most impious murderer to the most merciful …
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