Bible Strands
Matthew 27:44
In the same way, even the robbers who were crucified with Him berated Him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records the crucifixion scene at Golgotha, noting that the two men executed alongside Jesus join the earlier mockery by the religious leaders and passersby. This occurs during the sixth to ninth hour, immediately before the land is covered in darkness.
The words — The Greek λῃσταὶ (lēstai) literally means "robbers" or "bandits," and συσταυρωθέντες (sustaurōthentes) means "having been crucified alongside." These terms identify the condemned men as fellow victims who actively participate in the abuse.
The thread — This pattern of condemned mockers appears in the parallel accounts at Matthew 27:38, Mark 15:32, and Luke 23:39. Luke specifically notes that one criminal initially heaps abuse on Jesus before later repenting.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that Jesus faced complete rejection from all levels of society, including those sharing His fate. It requires the reader to accept that divine authority was openly despised by those who witnessed it.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
Cross-references
- Matthew 27:38 Two robbers were crucified with Him, one on His right and the other on His left.
- Mark 15:32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, so that we may see and believe!” And even those who were crucified with Him berated Him.
- Luke 23:39 One of the criminals who hung there heaped abuse on Him. “Are You not the Christ?” he said. “Save Yourself and us!”
- Job 30:7 They cried out among the shrubs and huddled beneath the nettles.
- Psalms 35:15 But when I stumbled, they assembled in glee; they gathered together against me. Assailants I did not know slandered me without ceasing.