He is named after Barabbas, the Jewish revolutionary who was released from prison and pardoned from crucifixion in place of Jesus in the Bible (Matthew 27 v. 16-21, 26, Mark 16 v. 7-15).
In this historical novel, Barabbas is the sworn protector of the Copper Scroll and the treasure it points to.
Specifically, when the crowd is asked whether Jesus or Barabbas should be spared, they must all join the call "Give us Barabbas!" (a priest absolves them from any guilt for so doing).
The Shadow of Nazareth is a 1913 silent movie that takes place in Jerusalem at the time of the crucifixion of Jesus and tells the story of a vain woman named Judith, her brother Judas Iscariot, and her two admirers, a thief named Barabbas, and Caiaphas, the high priest of Jerusalem.
Among Filipino Catholics, the name is popularly exclaimed as Hudas, Barabas, Hestas!, a term invoked as an exclamation of disappointment or chastisement, mentioning Gestas along with two other individuals Judas Iscariot and Barabbas, which gained prominence in the 1980 Filipino television series John En Marsha (1973-1990), starring actor Dolphy and actress Nida Blanca.
Among his central themes was the fundamental question of good and evil, which he examined through such figures as the man who was freed instead of Jesus, Barabbas; and the Persian King, Ahasuerus.
After retirement, he became an actor, among other roles, he played small parts in Roman Holiday, Barabbas and War and Peace.