First, what is a scapegoat? Today we define it as someone who is chosen to take on the sole burden and punishment of a particular wrongdoing.

Scripturally, a scapegoat has a much deeper, spiritual meaning. It is a crucial step for the forgiveness of a nation’s sins during the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur.

The first time it’s describe is in Leviticus 16:5-10 after two of Aaron’s sons defiled the Holy of Holies:

And he shall take from the congregation of the people of Israel two male goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.

“Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering for himself and shall make atonement for himself and for his house. Then he shall take the two goats and set them before the LORD at the entrance of the tent of meeting. And Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats, one lot for the LORD and the other lot for Azazel. And Aaron shall present the goat on which the lot fell for the LORD and use it as a sin offering, but the goat on which the lot fell for Azazel shall be presented alive before the LORD to make atonement over it, that it may be sent away into the wilderness to Azazel. (ESV)

Today’s sermon was about, in part, Matthew 27:11-23 after Jesus’ arrest:

Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” … Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

One thing the pastor said was, more than likely Barabbas was meant for the third cross next to the other two, not Jesus. So in one sense, Barabbas is the first person Jesus died for. ‘Nother historical tidbit: Barabbas’ full name was Jesus Barabbas.

As the pastor was speaking, I thought of the Day of Atonement and how one goat was chosen as a sin sacrifice while the other was chosen to be released into the wilderness.

God loves symmetry and symbolism. Observance of the feasts and laws he created were crucial to his people, to be a constant reminder of our sinfulness as well as the necessity of atonement for those sins. Jesus was the perfect blood sacrifice, the last mankind would ever need.

Because adherence to the Day of Atonement was also crucial (see Leviticus 23:26-32), wouldn’t it stand to reason God himself would follow every detail as further evidence of who Jesus is and his purpose on Earth?

I was unable to find whether or not Barabbas was chosen by lots, but I wouldn’t be surprised.

Everything taken together, I can’t help but wonder if while Jesus was the chosen sin offering, Barabbas was indeed chosen as the scapegoat to be released into the wilderness.

What do you think?

Note: The graphic above was AI generated through X’s “Grok.”