Antonia was a fortress and military barrack built in Jerusalem by King Herod around 19 BC. At Antonia, three days before the resurrection of Jesus Christ the most famous public trial in human history took place. A trial with consequences reaching further than Marbury vs. Madison, Brown vs. Board of Education, or Roe vs. Wade. This was the Passover Trial of Jesus (and Barabbas). One was a notorious rebel and murderer, the other a rabbi, teacher and miracle worker, who called Himself God. This very public trial famously ends with one being released and the other sentenced to death by crucifixion. Barabbas was not released because of innocence. His crimes of murder and rebellion were more tolerable than the crime of claiming to be God -- Give Us Barabbas!
