Matthew 27 44

Matthew 27:44 kjv

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

Matthew 27:44 nkjv

Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.

Matthew 27:44 niv

In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

Matthew 27:44 esv

And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

Matthew 27:44 nlt

Even the revolutionaries who were crucified with him ridiculed him in the same way.

Matthew 27 verses

Matthew 27 44 Meaning

Matthew 27:44 signifies that even the two criminals who were crucified alongside Jesus participated in the widespread mockery and reviling directed at Him. Sharing His agonizing physical fate did not deter them from joining the chorus of insults, underscoring the profound depths of rejection and humiliation Jesus endured from virtually all segments of society, including those in similar dire straits, during His atoning death.

Matthew 27 44 Context

Matthew 27:44 is situated amidst the darkest hours of Jesus' earthly ministry, the very apex of His suffering during His crucifixion. Preceding this verse, Jesus has been scourged, mocked by Roman soldiers, paraded through the streets, and ultimately nailed to a cross on Golgotha between two criminals. The atmosphere surrounding the cross is one of intense hostility and ridicule. Passers-by have already derided Him (Matt 27:39), followed by the chief priests, scribes, and elders who contemptuously challenged Him to save Himself and descend from the cross if He were truly the Son of God or the King of Israel (Matt 27:41-43). Verse 44 marks the final, pervasive layer of derision: even those sharing the very agony of crucifixion, the condemned "thieves," join the overwhelming chorus of contempt against the crucified Christ, culminating the relentless humiliation before His death.

Matthew 27 44 Word analysis

• And the thieves also, (Greek: οἱ λῃσταὶ - hoi lēstai)

  • οἱ (hoi): "The," serves as a definite article, pointing to specific criminals already introduced as crucified alongside Jesus.
  • λῃσταὶ (lēstai): Plural of lēstēs. While often translated as "robbers" or "thieves," in the Roman provincial context, this term frequently carried a stronger connotation, referring to brigands, violent highwaymen, or even insurrectionists who defied Roman authority. Barabbas (Matt 27:21), exchanged for Jesus, was also called a lēstēs.
  • Significance: This categorization elevates the nature of their criminality beyond petty theft, emphasizing that Jesus was "numbered with the transgressors" (Is 53:12) of the most egregious sort, further intensifying the disgrace He bore. Their joining the mockery underscores the absolute universality of rejection Jesus faced, even from fellow sufferers.

• which were crucified with him, (Greek: οἱ συσταυρωθέντες αὐτῷ - hoi systaurōthēntes autō)

  • συσταυρωθέντες (systaurōthēntes): An aorist passive participle meaning "having been crucified with." The prefix syn- (συν-) literally translates to "with" or "together."
  • Significance: This phrase highlights their shared, excruciating method of execution and proximity to Jesus. Despite experiencing the same ultimate human suffering, their initial response (at least, for both according to Matthew and Mark) was not empathy but further aggression towards the One suffering innocently beside them. This shared physical torment makes their spiritual blindness and participation in mockery even more poignant.

• cast the same in his teeth. (Greek: ὠνείδιζον αὐτὸν - ōneidizon auton)

  • ὠνείδιζον (ōneidizon): Imperfect active indicative of oneidizō. This strong verb means "to revile," "to reproach," "to insult," or "to heap abuses upon." The imperfect tense suggests a continuous or repeated action, indicating that they were not merely uttering a single insult but actively and persistently scoffing at Him.
  • αὐτὸν (auton): "Him," directly referring to Jesus.
  • "cast the same in his teeth": An idiomatic English expression conveying severe, direct, and aggressive verbal attack, deep contempt, and biting accusation. It indicates direct, face-to-face verbal assault.
  • Significance: This phrase encapsulates the depth of malice and aggressive contempt. It implies a conscious and deliberate participation in the humiliation of Jesus, demonstrating that the rejection of Christ permeated even the very bottom tier of society, those who themselves were condemned. This pervasive scorn underscores the completeness of the suffering and shame Jesus endured for humanity's redemption.

Matthew 27 44 Bonus section

The apparent discrepancy between Matthew/Mark and Luke concerning the thieves' reactions on the cross highlights the dynamic nature of human hearts in response to divine grace, even in the direst circumstances. Initially, both thieves' hearts were hardened by sin and external influences, leading them to join the mockery. However, as the crucifixion progressed, the extraordinary patience, profound peace, and divine forgiveness demonstrated by Jesus, coupled with supernatural events like the darkening of the sun, became a powerful witness that pierced the heart of one thief. This change demonstrates that while humanity often responds to divine love with scorn, repentance remains a possibility until the very last breath. It also emphasizes that salvation is purely by grace, freely extended even to the most desperate and seemingly undeserving, as shown by the penitent thief's acceptance into Paradise.

Matthew 27 44 Commentary

Matthew 27:44 presents a striking moment during the crucifixion, where even the criminals sharing Jesus' agony actively joined in the mocking chorus. The Greek term for "thieves" (lēstai) often denotes violent brigands or insurrectionists, suggesting Jesus was associated with society's most contemptible elements, fulfilling prophecy that He would be "numbered with the transgressors." The idiom "cast the same in his teeth" conveys severe and persistent verbal abuse.

While Matthew (and Mark 15:32) suggests both thieves reviled Jesus, Luke 23:39-43 famously differentiates, with one continuing to rail and the other repenting and appealing to Jesus. Scholars generally reconcile this by understanding Matthew and Mark to describe the initial, collective response of both thieves. As the hours passed on the cross, marked by supernatural darkness and Jesus' own words of forgiveness and enduring peace, one thief likely experienced a profound change of heart, recognizing Jesus' true nature and power, leading to his well-known repentance. Thus, Matthew's account powerfully emphasizes the profound isolation and the breadth of public scorn directed at Jesus—from authorities, onlookers, and even fellow sufferers—highlighting the full extent of the humiliation Christ endured as He bore the world's sin.