Matthew 27:44
And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While Matthew says "the robbers" reviled Jesus, it's crucial to notice he's using a common biblical way of speaking where a singular action is attributed to a group, even if only one person initially participated. This highlights the overwhelming hostility Jesus faced, with even those suffering alongside him joining in the mockery.
Jesus is in the midst of his crucifixion, enduring intense physical suffering and the mocking of crowds, chief priests, and elders who challenge his claims of being the King of Israel and the Son of God. This verse explains that the two criminals crucified alongside him also joined in reviling him, adding to the immense humiliation he experienced. However, Luke's account reveals that one of these criminals later rebuked the other and turned to Jesus in faith, providing a stark contrast to the prevailing mockery.
Amidst the agony of crucifixion, Jesus wasn't alone. But the words spoken by those beside Him reveal drastically different responses to suffering and God.
Matthew's Gospel, alongside Luke's, presents a stark contrast in the robbers' reactions. While one joins the jeering crowd, cursing Jesus, the other turns to Christ in faith. This isn't just a detail; it's a theological statement:
The Depth of Human Response
This contrast highlights that even in the most dire circumstances, human hearts can turn towards or away from God.
The verse says the robbers reviled Jesus 'in the same way.' What was this shared accusation, and why was it so significant?
The phrase "in the same way" points to a shared taunt that echoed the accusations leveled by the crowds, the chief priests, and the elders. At its heart, this accusation questioned Jesus' identity and His relationship with God, based solely on His current suffering.
The Logic of the Cross-Scorners
Understand the original words
lēstēs · Greek Noun
Criminals or bandits involved in violent insurrection or theft. They were often executed alongside political or dangerous offenders.
oneidizō · Greek Verb
To insult, reproach, or speak abusively. It carries the weight of intense verbal attack and disdain.
The reviling of Jesus by the two criminals crucified alongside him occurred during the intense and public execution at Golgotha, a moment of extreme suffering and humiliation amidst the broader context of escalating Roman and Jewish opposition to the early Christian movement.
c. 27-30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus of Nazareth's public ministry concludes with his arrest, trial, and crucifixion in Jerusalem during the Roman governorship of Pontius Pilate.
c. 30 AD
First Christian Martyrdom
Stephen, a deacon in the early church, is stoned to death by a hostile crowd, marking a significant escalation of persecution against Jesus' followers.
c. 33-36 AD
Saul's Persecution and Conversion
Saul of Tarsus actively persecutes the early church, leading to the scattering of believers, but later experiences a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus.
c. 40s AD
Early Church Expansion and Persecution
The gospel spreads to Gentiles, with figures like Peter and Paul playing key roles, while facing increasing opposition from both Jewish authorities and Roman officials.
This passage provides a contrasting perspective, showing that while one robber reviled Jesus, the other rebuked him, confessed his own sin, and recognized Jesus' innocence and kingly status. This highlights the varied human responses to Christ even in his deepest suffering and offers a glimmer of hope amid the scorn.
Isaiah 53:12This verse from Isaiah prophesied that the suffering servant would be 'numbered with the transgressors.' Matthew 27:44 directly fulfills this prophecy, showing Jesus being reviled by the very criminals crucified alongside him, emphasizing his shame and substitutionary suffering for sinners.
Psalm 22:6-8David's lament in this psalm, written hundreds of years before Christ, vividly describes the very taunts and scorn Jesus endured: 'all who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; 'He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he has delight in him!' This shows the ancient prayer echoing the suffering Jesus faced.
Philippians 2:7-8This passage speaks of Christ 'emptying himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men' and humbling himself even to death on a cross. The reviling from the robbers underscores the depth of this humiliation and the suffering Jesus willingly endured, even to the point of being associated with criminals.
henryMatthew 27:35-44: "And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots."
27:35-44 It was usual to put shame upon malefactors, by a writing to notify the crime for which they suffered. So they set up one over Christ's head. This they designed for his reproach, but God so overruled it, that even his accusation was to his honour. There were crucified wit…
clarkeMatthew 27:44: "The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth."
The thieves also - cast the same in his teeth - That is, one of the robbers; for one, we find, was a penitent, Luke 23:39 , Luke 23:40 . See this form of expression accounted for, on Matthew 26:8 (note).
While Matthew says "the robbers" reviled Jesus, it's crucial to notice he's using a common biblical way of speaking where a singular action is attributed to a group, even if only one person initially participated. This highlights the overwhelming hostility Jesus faced, with even those suffering alongside him joining in the mockery.
Jesus is in the midst of his crucifixion, enduring intense physical suffering and the mocking of crowds, chief priests, and elders who challenge his claims of being the King of Israel and the Son of God. This verse explains that the two criminals crucified alongside him also joined in reviling him, adding to the immense humiliation he experienced. However, Luke's account reveals that one of these criminals later rebuked the other and turned to Jesus in faith, providing a stark contrast to the prevailing mockery.
Jesus is in the midst of his crucifixion, enduring intense physical suffering and the mocking of crowds, chief priests, and elders who challenge his claims of being the King of Israel and the Son of God. This verse explains that the two criminals crucified alongside him also joined in reviling him, adding to the immense humiliation he experienced. However, Luke's account reveals that one of these criminals later rebuked the other and turned to Jesus in faith, providing a stark contrast to the prevailing mockery.
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This shared accusation was a direct assault on the very core of Jesus' mission – to save others by bearing their punishment.
c. 64 AD
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Writing of the Gospels
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John record the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus, likely in response to the growing church's need for accurate historical accounts and theological instruction.
"And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way." — While Matthew says "the robbers" reviled Jesus, it's crucial to notice he's using a common biblical way of speaking where a singular action is attributed to a group, even if only one person initially…
