The Crucifixion
Two robbers were crucified with Him, one on His right and the other on His left. Matthew 27:38 · Berean Standard Bible
Two criminals are crucified with Jesus, one on His right and one on His left.
The prophet Isaiah said the Messiah would be 'numbered with the transgressors.' Here it is, literally — Jesus dies between two criminals, counted as one of them.
The narrator describes the arrangement of the three crosses on Golgotha.
He came to save sinners, and He dies among them. Even on the cross, He is exactly where He chose to be — in the middle of broken humanity.
Two robbers (lestai) are crucified alongside Jesus, one on each side, fulfilling Isaiah 53:12 — 'He was numbered with the transgressors.'
The term lestai (bandits/insurrectionists) rather than kleptai (thieves) suggests these may have been political rebels, possibly associates of Barabbas. Jesus dies surrounded by the violent, identified among criminals.
The narrator records the positioning of Jesus between two criminals.
The Son of God is crucified between outlaws — placed in the center of human criminality, bearing the identification He came to transform.
36And sitting down, they kept watch over Him there.
37Above His head they posted the written charge against Him:
38Two robbers were crucified with Him, one on His right and the other on His left.
39And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads
40and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!”
Read all of Matthew 27 — The climax of the story. Every thread — sacrifice, covenant, prophecy, promise — converges at a cross outside Jerusalem.
This page covers one. BibleKey does all 31,102 — tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and keep reading without leaving the chapter.
Not just the famous ones. BibleKey is free on iPhone and iPad.
Download on the App StoreFree on iPhone & iPad