Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that Jesus was placed among "malefactors," emphasizing how he was treated as a criminal, even though he was innocent. This wasn't just an accident; it was a deliberate act that placed him in the company of those who truly deserved punishment, to demonstrate the profound depth of his sacrifice for humanity.
Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Jesus is led to His crucifixion, He is placed between two criminals, highlighting the shame and ignominy of His punishment. This stark contrast underscores the criminal nature of those He is associated with in the eyes of the world, even as He is innocent. The narrative emphasizes that these were not petty thieves but serious offenders, setting the stage for the profound spiritual drama that unfolds on the cross.
When we picture the crucifixion, we often focus on Jesus. But the text highlights two others beside him. Who were they, and why does it matter?
The Gospels refer to these men as "malefactors" (Greek: kakourgoi). This term suggests they were more than petty thieves; they were likely violent criminals, possibly rebels or brigands who had committed serious offenses against society and Roman authority.
Jesus wasn't alone on the cross. He was surrounded by suffering and shame, including two other condemned men. What does this shared fate reveal?
The simple fact that Jesus was led away with two other criminals is profound. It highlights that Jesus, in his ultimate act of love, entered into the very depths of human sin and suffering.
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Understand the original words
kakourgos · Greek Noun
A person who has broken the law and is subject to punishment, often used in the New Testament to describe those crucified alongside Jesus to fulfill prophecy.
The crucifixion of Jesus occurred within the context of Roman capital punishment, often involving multiple executions at once. The presence of other criminals alongside Jesus served to highlight the stark contrast between their guilt and Jesus' innocence, and to demonstrate the vastly different ways people would respond to him, even in their final moments.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Crucifixion
Jesus is arrested, tried, and sentenced to crucifixion by the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, following a tumultuous trial and public outcry.
c. 30 AD
Release of Barabbas
According to custom, Pontius Pilate offers the crowd a choice between releasing Jesus or Barabbas, a known insurrectionist and murderer. The crowd demands Barabbas' release.
c. 30 AD
Simon of Cyrene Compelled to Carry Cross
As Jesus falters under the weight of his cross, Roman soldiers seize Simon of Cyrene, a passerby, and force him to carry it to Golgotha, highlighting the brutal efficiency of Roman execution practices.
c. 30 AD
Jesus is Crucified
Jesus is nailed to the cross between two criminals. This public execution was a Roman method of capital punishment, designed to be a shameful and agonizing death.
c. 30 AD
Mockery at the Cross
Passersby, soldiers, and religious leaders mock Jesus as he hangs on the cross, reflecting the societal rejection and scorn he faced.
c. 30 AD
Penitence of One Criminal
One of the criminals crucified alongside Jesus rebukes the other and turns to Jesus in faith, asking to be remembered. This highlights the diverse human responses to Jesus even in his moment of ultimate suffering.
This passage from Matthew also describes the crucifixion of Jesus, explicitly stating that two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left, highlighting the criminal context surrounding Jesus' death.
Mark 15:27Mark's Gospel records the same event, mentioning that the two individuals crucified with Jesus were also identified as 'robbers,' emphasizing that Jesus was placed among criminals in his final moments.
Isaiah 53:12This prophetic passage speaks of the suffering servant being 'numbered with the transgressors,' which powerfully foreshadows Jesus being crucified between two criminals, mistaken for one of them.
Luke 23:39-43Immediately following this verse, Luke details the interaction between Jesus and the two criminals, showing how one mocks Jesus while the other repents, powerfully illustrating the contrasting responses to Christ even in death.
vincentLuke 23:32: "And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death."
Two otherThe possible omission of a comma before malefactors in the A. V. might make a very awkward and unpleasant statement. Better Rev., two others, malefactors.Put to death (ἀναιρεθῆναι)Lit., to take up and carry away; so that the Greek idiom answers to our taken off. So Shakspeare:"The deep damnation of his taking off."Macbeth, i., 7."Let her who would be rid of him, deviseHis speedy taking off."Lea…
barnesLuke 23:32: "And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death."
See the notes at Matthew 27:35 , Matthew 27:38 .
The verse highlights that Jesus was placed among "malefactors," emphasizing how he was treated as a criminal, even though he was innocent. This wasn't just an accident; it was a deliberate act that placed him in the company of those who truly deserved punishment, to demonstrate the profound depth of his sacrifice for humanity.
As Jesus is led to His crucifixion, He is placed between two criminals, highlighting the shame and ignominy of His punishment. This stark contrast underscores the criminal nature of those He is associated with in the eyes of the world, even as He is innocent. The narrative emphasizes that these were not petty thieves but serious offenders, setting the stage for the profound spiritual drama that unfolds on the cross.
As Jesus is led to His crucifixion, He is placed between two criminals, highlighting the shame and ignominy of His punishment. This stark contrast underscores the criminal nature of those He is associated with in the eyes of the world, even as He is innocent. The narrative emphasizes that these were not petty thieves but serious offenders, setting the stage for the profound spiritual drama that unfolds on the cross.
"Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him." — The verse highlights that Jesus was placed among "malefactors," emphasizing how he was treated as a criminal, even though he was innocent. This wasn't just an accident; it was a deliberate act that p…
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Last reviewed October 2026