Matthew 27 · Verse 38

Matthew 27:38

Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
Matthew 27:38, King James Version

Matthew 27:38 in other translations

BSBTwo robbers were crucified with Him, one on His right hand and the other on His left.
WEBThen there were two robbers crucified with him, one on his right hand and one on the left.
ASVThen are there crucified with him two robbers, one on the right hand and one on the left.
YLTThen crucified with him are two robbers, one on the right hand, and one on the left,
DARBYThen are crucified with him two robbers, one on the right hand and one on the left.
BBEThen two thieves were put on crosses with him, one on the right and one on the left.
WebsterThen were there two thieves crucified with him: one on the right hand, and another on the left.

What does Matthew 27:38 mean?

Barnes' Notes
Verse 38. Two thieves crucified, etc. 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.

(g) "crucified" Isa 53:12

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 38 Two thieves - ΛῃϚαι, 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, Isa 53:12; and the Jews placed him between these two, perhaps to intimate that he was the worst felon of the three.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 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 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…

Read the full comment on Matthew 27:35-44 →

Matthew 27:38 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΤότεToteAt the same timeG5119
σταυροῦνταιstaurountaiare crucifiedG4717
σὺνsunwithG4862
αὐτῷautōHimG846
δύοduotwoG1417
λῃσταί,lēstairobbers,G3027
εἷςheisoneG1520
ἐκekat [the]G1537
δεξιῶνdexiōnright handG1188
καὶkaiandG2532
εἷςheisoneG1520
ἐξexat [the]G1537
εὐωνύμων.euōnumōnleft.G2176

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 27:38

  • John 19:18

    Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

  • John 19:31-35

    The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. …

  • Luke 23:39-43

    And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. …

  • Matthew 27:44

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

  • Mark 15:27

    And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.

  • 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.

  • Luke 22:37

    For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

  • Luke 23:32-33

    And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
44; Isa 53:12; Mr 15:27,28; Lu 22:37; 23:32,33,39-43; Joh 19:18
Joh 19:31-35

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Matthew 27:37

    And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

  • Matthew 27:38

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

  • Matthew 27:39

    And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

Read all of Matthew 27

Matthew 27:38 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Entonces crucificaron con él dos ladrones, uno á la derecha, y otro á la izquierda.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Alors sont crucifiés avec lui deux brigands, un à la droite, et un à la gauche.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Alsdann werden zwei Räuber mit ihm gekreuzigt, einer zur Rechten und einer zur Linken.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Tunc crucifixi sunt cum eo duo latrones: unus a dextris, et unus a sinistris.