Matthew 27:38
New International Version
Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

New Living Translation
Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

English Standard Version
Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left.

Berean Standard Bible
Two robbers were crucified with Him, one on His right and the other on His left.

Berean Literal Bible
At the same time two robbers are crucified with Him, one at the right hand, and one at the left.

King James Bible
Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

New King James Version
Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left.

New American Standard Bible
At that time two rebels were being crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left.

NASB 1995
At that time two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left.

NASB 1977
At that time two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left.

Legacy Standard Bible
At that time two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left.

Amplified Bible
At the same time two robbers were crucified with Jesus, one on the right and one on the left.

Christian Standard Bible
Then two criminals were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then two criminals were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left.

American Standard Version
Then are there crucified with him two robbers, one on the right hand and one on the left.

Contemporary English Version
The soldiers also nailed two criminals on crosses, one to the right of Jesus and the other to his left.

English Revised Version
Then are there crucified with him two robbers, one on the right hand, and one on the left.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
At that time they crucified two criminals with him, one on his right and the other on his left.

Good News Translation
Then they crucified two bandits with Jesus, one on his right and the other on his left.

International Standard Version
At that time two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and the other on his left.

Majority Standard Bible
Two robbers were crucified with Him, one on His right and the other on His left.

NET Bible
Then two outlaws were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

New Heart English Bible
Then there were two robbers crucified with him, one on his right hand and one on the left.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then were there two thieves crucified with him: one on the right hand, and another on the left.

Weymouth New Testament
At the same time two robbers were crucified with Him, one at His right hand and the other at His left.

World English Bible
Then there were two robbers crucified with him, one on his right hand and one on the left.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Then two robbers are crucified with Him, one on the right hand and one on the left,

Berean Literal Bible
At the same time two robbers are crucified with Him, one at the right hand, and one at the left.

Young's Literal Translation
Then crucified with him are two robbers, one on the right hand, and one on the left,

Smith's Literal Translation
Then were crucified with him two robbers; one from the right hand, and the other from the left.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then were crucified with him two thieves: one on the right hand, and one on the left.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then two robbers were crucified with him: one on the right and one on the left.

New American Bible
Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and the other on his left.

New Revised Standard Version
Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And there were crucified with him two bandits, one on his right and one on his left.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And two robbers were crucified with him, one at his right hand and one at his left.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then were two robbers crucified with him; one on his right hand, and the other on his left.

Godbey New Testament
Then two thieves are crucified along with Him, the one on the right and one on the left.

Haweis New Testament
Then were crucified with him two robbers, one on his right hand, and the other on his left.

Mace New Testament
At the same time, two robbers were crucified with him: one on his right hand, the other on his left.

Weymouth New Testament
At the same time two robbers were crucified with Him, one at His right hand and the other at His left.

Worrell New Testament
Then are there crucified with Him two robbers, one on the right hand and one on the left.

Worsley New Testament
And there were two thieves crucified with Him: one on his right hand, and one on the left.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Crucifixion
37Above His head they posted the written charge against Him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 38 Two robbers were crucified with Him, one on His right hand and the other on His left. 39And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads…

Cross References
Isaiah 53:12
Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

Mark 15:27-28
Along with Jesus, they crucified two robbers, one on His right and one on His left. / So the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “And he was numbered with the transgressors.”

Luke 23:32-33
Two others, who were criminals, were also led away to be executed with Jesus. / When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left.

John 19:18
There they crucified Him, and with Him two others, one on each side, with Jesus in the middle.

Psalm 22:16
For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet.

Psalm 69:4
Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those who would destroy me—my enemies for no reason. Though I did not steal, I must repay.

Isaiah 53:9
He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.

Acts 8:32-33
The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so He did not open His mouth. / In His humiliation He was deprived of justice. Who can recount His descendants? For His life was removed from the earth.”

Romans 5:6-8
For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. / Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. / But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 Peter 2:24
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”

Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

Philippians 2:8
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.

2 Corinthians 5:21
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Psalm 109:25
I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they shake their heads.


Treasury of Scripture

Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

Matthew 27:44
The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

Isaiah 53:12
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Mark 15:27,28
And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left…

Jump to Previous
Crosses Crucified Hand Right Robbers Thieves Time
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Crosses Crucified Hand Right Robbers Thieves Time
Matthew 27
1. Jesus is delivered bound to Pilate.
3. Judas hangs himself.
19. Pilate, admonished of his wife,
20. and being urged by the multitude, washes his hands, and releases Barabbas.
27. Jesus is mocked and crowned with thorns;
33. crucified;
39. reviled;
50. dies, and is buried;
62. his tomb is sealed and watched.














Two robbers
The term "robbers" in the Greek is "lēstai," which can refer to bandits or insurrectionists. This word choice suggests that these men were not merely petty thieves but were likely involved in more serious crimes, possibly even acts of rebellion against Roman authority. Historically, crucifixion was reserved for the most severe offenders, indicating the gravity of their crimes. The presence of these robbers alongside Jesus fulfills the prophecy in Isaiah 53:12, which states that the Messiah would be "numbered with the transgressors."

were crucified
Crucifixion was a Roman method of execution designed to be both painful and humiliating. The Greek word "stauroō" means to fasten to a cross. This form of execution was intended to serve as a public deterrent against crime and rebellion. The act of crucifixion was not only a physical ordeal but also a spiritual and emotional one, as it was considered a curse under Jewish law (Deuteronomy 21:23). Jesus' crucifixion, therefore, signifies His bearing of the curse of sin on behalf of humanity.

with Him
The phrase "with Him" emphasizes the fulfillment of prophecy and the identification of Jesus with sinners. Despite His innocence, Jesus was placed among criminals, highlighting His role as the sin-bearer for all humanity. This association underscores the depth of His humility and His willingness to be counted among the guilty to bring about redemption.

one on His right and one on His left
The positioning of the robbers, one on each side of Jesus, is significant. In the cultural and historical context, the right side was often seen as a place of honor, while the left was less so. However, in this scenario, both positions are places of shame, as they are associated with crucifixion. This imagery also serves to illustrate the separation of humanity in response to Jesus—those who accept Him and those who reject Him. The Gospel of Luke further elaborates on this by describing the differing reactions of the two robbers, with one ultimately seeking forgiveness and the other remaining unrepentant. This scene is a powerful reminder of the choices each person faces in response to Christ's sacrifice.

(38) Then were there two thieves crucified with him.--Better, robbers, the word being the same as that used of Barabbas (John 18:40). It would seem, as there is no record of their trial, as if they were already under sentence of death; and it is probable enough that they were members of the same band, and had been sharers in the same insurrection. The legends of the Apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemns (i. 10), give their names as Dysmas and Gysmas, and these names appear still in the Calvaries and Stations of Roman Catholic countries.

Verse 38. - Then. St. Matthew does not give the exact sequence of events, generally grouping them together for ethical and other kindred reasons. Probably these two malefactors were crucified immediately after cur Lord. Thieves; λῃσταί: robbers, brigands (Matthew 21:13). Thus was Christ "numbered with the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12). St. Luke alone relates the acceptance of the penitent thief. If he was the one set on the right hand, possibly the careful mention of the position of the two robbers, which is found in the ether evangelists, may have a silent reference to this episode. We know from Josephus ('Ant.,' 16:10, 8; 20:8, 10; 'Belt. Jud.,' 2:12, 2, etc.) that Palestine was infested with banditti, who were rigorously pursued by the Romans, and were commonly crucified when captured. Doubtless these two criminals had been taken red-handed in some act of robbery and murder, and it was an exquisite malice that treated Jesus as their comrade and accomplice, and placed him in the position of their leader. But Augustine sees a spiritual signification in this scene: "The very cross was the tribunal of Christ; for the Judge was placed in the middle; one thief, who believed, was set free; the other, who reviled, was condemned; which signified what he was already about to do with the quick and dead; being about to set some on his right hand, but ethers on his left."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Two
δύο (dyo)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1417: Two. A primary numeral; 'two'.

robbers
λῃσταί (lēstai)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3027: A robber, brigand, bandit. From leizomai; a brigand.

were crucified
σταυροῦνται (staurountai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4717: From stauros; to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish passion or selfishness.

with
σὺν (syn)
Preposition
Strong's 4862: With. A primary preposition denoting union; with or together.

Him,
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

one
εἷς (heis)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

on
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

[His] right hand
δεξιῶν (dexiōn)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 1188: On the right hand, right hand, right. From dechomai; the right side or hand.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[the other]
εἷς (heis)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

on
ἐξ (ex)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

[His] left.
εὐωνύμων (euōnymōn)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 2176: From eu and onoma; properly, well-named, i.e. The left; neuter as adverbial, at the left hand.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 27:38 Then there were two robbers crucified (Matt. Mat Mt)
Matthew 27:37
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