Matthew 27:38

Matthew 27:38 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
• New International Version (NIV)Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left.

Context of Matthew 27:38

36Then sitting down there, they began to keep watch over Him [to guard against any rescue attempt]. 37And above His head they put the accusation against Him which read, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” At the same time two robbers were crucified with Jesus, one on the right and one on the left. 39Those who passed by were hurling abuse at Him and jeering at Him, wagging their heads [in scorn and ridicule], 40and they said [tauntingly], “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself [from death]! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

Matthew 27:38 word by word

Τότε σταυροῦνται σὺν αὐτῷ δύο λῃσταί, εἷς ἐκ δεξιῶν καὶ εἷς ἐξ εὐωνύμων.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Thenτότεtote · thenG5119
• were thereσταυρόωstauroō · to crucifyG4717
• twoδύοduo · twoG1417
• thievesλῃστήςlēstēs · robber/rebelG3027
• withσύνsun · withG4862
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• oneεἷςheis · oneG1520
• onἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• the right handδεξιόςdexios · rightG1188
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• the leftεὐώνυμοςeuōnumos · left/southG2176

Cross-references for Matthew 27:38

• Matthew 27:44The robbers who had been crucified with Him also began to insult Him in the same way.
• Isaiah 53:12Therefore, I will divide and give Him a portion with the great [kings and rulers], And He shall divide the spoils with the mighty, Because He [willingly] poured out His life to death, And was counted among the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore and took away the sin of many, And interceded [with the Father] for the transgressors.
• Mark 15:27They crucified two robbers with Him, one on His right and one on His left.
• Luke 22:37For I tell you that this [Scripture] which is written must be completed and fulfilled in Me: ‘And He was counted with the criminals’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment [and is settled].”
• Luke 23:32Two others also, who were criminals, were being led away to be executed with Him.
• John 19:18There they crucified Him, and with Him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.
• John 19:31Since it was the day of Preparation [for the Sabbath], in order to prevent the bodies from hanging on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high holy day) the Jews asked Pilate to have their legs broken [to hasten death] and the bodies taken away.

Commentaries on Matthew 27:38

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 38Two thieves - ͅϚ, robbers, or cutthroats: men who had committed robbery and murder; for it does not appear that persons were crucified for robbery only. Thus was our Lord numbered (his name enrolled, placed as it were in the death warrant) with transgressors, according to the prophetic declaration, Isaiah 53:12; and the Jews placed him between these two, perhaps to intimate that he was the worst felon of the three.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 38Two thieves crucified … - Rather two “robbers.” Pilate did not reside in Jerusalem. When he came there on the great feasts, or at other times, it was, in part, to hold courts for the trial of criminals. These robbers had been probably condemned at that time; and to show greater contempt for Jesus, he was crucified between men of that abandoned character, and on a cross that should have been occupied by their companion and leader, Barabbas.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 35-44Verses 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 with him at the same time, two robbers. He was, at his death, numbered among the transgressors, that we, at our death, might be numbered among the saints. The taunts and jeers he…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 38Jesus was crucified between two convicted revolutionaries. This increased his shame and made him appear guilty by association (linked with rebels).Read the comment

Topics related to Matthew 27:38

• Crucifixion
• Death
• Jesus Continued
• Jesus, the Christ
• Malefactors (Criminals)
• Punishment
• Theft and Thieves

In the dictionaries

• Accusation
• Notable
• Plat
• Seal
• Wag
• Watch
• Wont
• Jesus Christ
• Matthew, the Gospel of
• Thief

Commentaries on Matthew 27

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings