The Four Crucified with Christ
MALEFACTORS DUO KAKOURGOI LED WITH HIM WHEN HE WAS CRUCIFIED HETEROS | THEN PARTED HIS GARMENTS CAST LOTS SAT DOWN PUT UP ACCUSATION THEN CRUCIFIED TWO ROBBERS DUO LESTAI | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | BUT PLACE HETEROS ALLOS |
Scripture Builds Up
Several passages of Scripture on an identical incident or subject may augment the information given in each other. It is especially important when studying records from the four gospels to recognize that each passage of Scripture relating to the same incident may not give the same details but the Scriptures must complement and agree with each other or we do not have the true Word of God. In studying the development of identical situations in various passages of Scripture, it becomes vitally important to observe The Word with a keen eye and perceptive mind to see the depth of it. If the situations are identical, that which is set forth in one Scripture cannot contradict that which is set forth in the other. However, Matthew may report certain details, Mark may add others, and Luke still others. Put together the details from each individual record supply us with the whole picture.
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.
- other = the Greek word "heteros" which means "other" when only two (or two categories) are involved.
- malefactors = the Greek word "kakourgos" which means "evil doers" or "criminals."
- led with him = at the same time
Matthew 27:35-38 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there; And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
- FIRST crucified him -(along with two malefactors according to LUKE)
- THEN parted his garments
- THEN sat down awhile and watched him
- THEN got his accusation and put it up
- THEN ,after all these things which took TIME, they crucified two robbers
- Thieves is the Greek word LESTAI which means "an armed robber"
Matthew 27:39a,44 And they that passed by reviled him,...The thieves [robbers] also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
Luke tells us that one of the malefactors reviled Jesus and one defended him. Matthew tells us that both the robbers reviled Jesus. Putting the records of Luke and Matthew together it is easy to see that there were four crucified with Jesus.
John 19:18 Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.
The gospel of John is concerned with place. The word ONE was added to the text and is not in the original Greek. The original reads: "Where they crucified him, and two others on this side and on that side and Jesus in the middle.". John clearly states that there were five men crucified and that Jesus was "in the midst" of the group.
John 19:32-33 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:
- The soldiers came to the FIRST - the robber - and broke his legs.
- Next in line was the "OTHER" - the malefactor - "which was crucified with him" - and they broke his legs.
(OTHER is the Greek word "Allos" which means "other" when more than two are involved) - Then they got to Jesus (THIRD IN LINE) and found he was already dead - they did not break his legs.
