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 they sat there and kept watch over him. 37They placed a written accusation above his head. It read, “This is Jesus, the king of the Jews.” At that time they crucified two criminals with him, one on his right and the other on his left. 39Those who passed by insulted him. They shook their heads 40and said, “You were going to tear down God’s temple and build it again in three days. Save yourself! If you’re 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 27:44Even the criminals crucified with him were insulting him the same way.
• Isaiah 53:12So I will give him a share among the mighty, and he will divide the prize with the strong, because he poured out his life in death and he was counted with sinners. He carried the sins of many. He intercedes for those who are rebellious.
• Mark 15:27They crucified two criminals with him, one on his right and the other on his left.
• Luke 22:37I can guarantee that the Scripture passage which says, ‘He was counted with criminals,’ must find its fulfillment in me. Indeed, whatever is written about me will come true.”
• Luke 23:32Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be executed with him.
• John 19:18The soldiers crucified Jesus and two other men there. Jesus was in the middle.
• John 19:31Since it was Friday and the next day was an especially important day of rest—a holy day, the Jews didn’t want the bodies to stay on the crosses. So they asked Pilate to have the men’s legs broken and their bodies removed.

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