On the Day of Atonement, two goats were chosen by lot. One lot determined which goat would be “the Lord’s goat” to be sacrificed. The high priest killed the Lord’s goat, caught its blood in a bowl, and took the blood into the Holy Place in the temple where he sprinkled the blood on the mercy seat, which was the lid of the ark of the covenant. Then the high priest laid his bloody hands on the other goat, which was “the scapegoat,” and set it free. (Lev. 16:7-10).
This choosing of two goats on the Day of Atonement was a prophetic foreshadowing of Pontius Pilate bringing two men before the multitude. One was Jesus, the Son of God. The other was Barabbas, which means “son of the father.” Some Syriac manuscripts of Matthew 27:17 record his name as “Jesus bar Abbas” or “Jesus, son of the father.”
It was a custom to release one prisoner at the Passover. Barabbas was guilty of murder and sentenced to die for his crimes (Mark 15:7). Jesus was accused of being the King of the Jews. Pontius Pilate brought them before the crowd and asked which one they wanted set free. They chose Barabbas.
Pilate asked, “What then shall I do with Jesus, who is called Christ?” They cried, “Crucify Him!” (Matt. 27:22). They wanted Jesus to be sacrificed, like the Lord’s goat. They wanted Barabbas to be set free, like the scapegoat.
The high priest sprinkled the blood of the Lord’s goat in the Holy Place on earth. Jesus, our High Priest, sprinkled His own blood in the Holy Place in Heaven (Heb. 9:11-12, 12:24)
After the high priest released the scapegoat, he washed his hands (Ex. 30:19). After Pontius Pilate released Barabbas, he washed his hands. (Matt. 27:24)
The sins of Israel were forgiven for one year. (Leviticus 16:34). Through Jesus, our sins are forgiven forever. (Heb. 8:12)
Innocent Jesus took the blame. And we, like guilty Barabbas, walk away free. And now you know why two goats were chosen on the Day of Atonement.
