And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The detail that two robbers were crucified with Jesus isn't just for dramatic effect; it fulfilled prophecy, positioning Jesus as being counted "among the transgressors." This placement wasn't arbitrary but served to highlight that Jesus, the sinless Son of God, was bearing the weight of humanity's sin and was treated as one of them to make atonement.
And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Jesus is led to Golgotha, the place of execution, Roman soldiers crucify two notorious criminals alongside him, one on each side. This placement is meant to further shame and disgrace Jesus, casting him as a common criminal or even a leader among them. The scene follows the events of Jesus being scourged, mocked, and forced to carry his own cross, and it immediately precedes the onlookers and religious leaders taunting him as he hangs in agony.
Why were these two men crucified with Jesus? It wasn't random chance. Their presence highlights the sheer injustice of Jesus's death.
The Gospel writers use the term "robbers" (or "thieves") for the men crucified alongside Jesus. This wasn't just a generic term; many scholars believe these men were likely part of the same revolutionary or Zealot groups that opposed Roman rule.
A Political Statement
Crucifying them with Jesus was a deliberate act by the Roman authorities. It was a way to smear Jesus by association, presenting him as just another criminal, perhaps even a leader of a rebellious gang. This served to delegitimize any claims he had to kingship or divine authority in the eyes of the public and Roman occupiers alike.
Public Heroes or Common Thugs?
Some commentators suggest that these robbers might have been seen as popular heroes or figures of resistance by some of the Jewish population. If so, their execution alongside Jesus would have been an even more potent political statement, aiming to quell any hopes of a messianic uprising.
Imagine being the Son of God, facing the ultimate suffering. What does it mean that Jesus was placed between two outcasts?
The placement of Jesus between two robbers was the pinnacle of his humiliation and suffering.
Zeroing In on Jesus's Shame
By crucifying Jesus between these two men, the authorities aimed to drag him down to their level. It was a calculated move to strip him of any dignity and to make a public spectacle of his supposed guilt. He was made to look like the worst of offenders, the ringleader of a band of criminals.
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Fulfilling Prophecy in Humiliation
This horrific scene wasn't just about human cruelty; it was also about divine purpose. The New Testament writers saw this as the fulfillment of prophecy, particularly Isaiah's description of the Suffering Servant.
Understand the original words
stauroō · Greek Verb
To execute by nailing or binding a person to a cross. In Christian theology, this refers to the substitutionary death of Christ, who bore the curse of the law and the penalty for human sin.
lēstēs · Greek Noun
Individuals engaged in violent theft, robbery, or insurrection. In the context of the crucifixion, these men highlight Jesus’ humiliation by being associated with criminals.
Crucifying Jesus alongside two 'robbers' wasn't random; it was a deliberate act by Roman and Jewish authorities to associate Him with sedition and crime, aiming to discredit Him and deter any followers who saw Him as a political messiah.
c. 27-30 AD
Jesus' Public Ministry and Growing Opposition
During this time, Jesus' teachings and miracles gain a following, attracting both devoted disciples and increasing suspicion from religious and political authorities. This period culminates in His final week in Jerusalem.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Arrest and Trial
Following His arrest after the Last Supper, Jesus is subjected to a series of trials before Jewish leaders and then the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. The authorities seek to condemn Him, portraying Him as a threat to Roman order.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Pilate Condemns Jesus to Crucifixion
Despite acknowledging Jesus' innocence, Pilate succumbs to pressure from the crowd and Jewish leaders, sentencing Jesus to the brutal Roman punishment of crucifixion. This event is the direct context for His execution.
c. 30 AD
Crucifixion at Golgotha
Jesus is led to the place of execution, Golgotha, and nailed to a cross. The Roman soldiers carry out the execution, a common punishment for rebels and criminals.
c. 30 AD
Mockery and Final Moments
While on the cross, Jesus endures further mockery from passersby, chief priests, and scribes, fulfilling prophecies and demonstrating His unique suffering for humanity. His final words and death mark the culmination of the event.
This passage prophesies that the Suffering Servant would be 'numbered with the transgressors,' directly paralleling the experience of Jesus being crucified between two criminals.
Matthew 27:38This parallel account in Matthew also describes the crucifixion of two robbers alongside Jesus, providing a consistent narrative detail across the Gospels.
Luke 23:33Luke's Gospel also mentions the crucifixion of two criminals with Jesus, and in his account, one of them repents and finds salvation, highlighting a contrast in responses to Jesus even in death.
Psalm 22:18This Old Testament psalm, which Christians see as a prophecy of the Messiah's suffering, includes the line 'They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots,' which echoes the scene of the soldiers dividing Jesus' clothes while He was on the cross.
cambridgeMark 15:27: "And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left."
27 . two thieves ] Rather, two robbers , or malefactors as St Luke calls them ( Luke 23:33 ). See note above, Mark 11:17 . It is more than probable that they belonged to the band of Barabbas and “had been engaged in one of those fierce and fanatical outbreaks against the Roman domination which on a large scale or a small so fast succeeded one another in the latter days of the Jewish common…
wesleyMark 15:27: "And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left."
15:24-25 St. Mark seems to intimate, that they first nailed him to the cross, then parted his garments, and afterward reared up the cross.
The detail that two robbers were crucified with Jesus isn't just for dramatic effect; it fulfilled prophecy, positioning Jesus as being counted "among the transgressors." This placement wasn't arbitrary but served to highlight that Jesus, the sinless Son of God, was bearing the weight of humanity's sin and was treated as one of them to make atonement.
As Jesus is led to Golgotha, the place of execution, Roman soldiers crucify two notorious criminals alongside him, one on each side. This placement is meant to further shame and disgrace Jesus, casting him as a common criminal or even a leader among them. The scene follows the events of Jesus being scourged, mocked, and forced to carry his own cross, and it immediately precedes the onlookers and religious leaders taunting him as he hangs in agony.
As Jesus is led to Golgotha, the place of execution, Roman soldiers crucify two notorious criminals alongside him, one on each side. This placement is meant to further shame and disgrace Jesus, casting him as a common criminal or even a leader among them. The scene follows the events of Jesus being scourged, mocked, and forced to carry his own cross, and it immediately precedes the onlookers and religious leaders taunting him as he hangs in agony.
"And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left." — The detail that two robbers were crucified with Jesus isn't just for dramatic effect; it fulfilled prophecy, positioning Jesus as being counted "among the transgressors." This placement wasn't arbitr…
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Last reviewed October 2026