New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 27:44

The Crucifixion

In the same way, even the robbers who were crucified with Him berated Him. Matthew 27:44 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Matthew 27:44, in plain English

Even the criminals crucified next to Him join in hurling insults.

Why it's here

Everyone is against Him — the leaders, the crowd, even the men dying beside Him. Jesus is completely, utterly alone in His suffering.

Who's speaking

The narrator records the criminals adding their voices to the mockery.

Where it sits in the story

When even the men suffering the same punishment turn against you, the isolation is complete. Jesus bears the rejection of the entire world on that cross.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Even the robbers crucified alongside Jesus join in the verbal abuse (oneidizon), completing the universal rejection — religious leaders, crowds, and fellow condemned all participate.

Language and setting

Matthew presents universal mockery; Luke 23:39-43 provides the nuance that one robber eventually repented. Matthew's emphasis is on the totality of rejection Jesus endures.

Voice

The narrator records the criminals' participation in the mockery.

Significance

The rejection is total — from the highest religious authority to the lowest criminal, everyone who could mock Jesus does. He is abandoned by all.

In context

Matthew 27:42–46

42“He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him.

43He trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now if He wants Him. For He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”

44In the same way, even the robbers who were crucified with Him berated Him.

45From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.

46About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Read all of Matthew 27 — The climax of the story. Every thread — sacrifice, covenant, prophecy, promise — converges at a cross outside Jerusalem.

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