The Thieves Mocking Jesus - Matthew 27:44

Matthew the apostle wrote concerning Jesus, “then were there two thieves crucified with him one on the right hand, and another on the left. And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, You that destroy the temple, and build it in three days, save yourself. If you be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God”, and in chapter twenty-seven and verse forty-four of his book, Matthew wrote how, “the thieves also … cast the same in his teeth” where we read:

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

The verse reads, “The thieves also, which were crucified with him, ...” Matthew began words, “the thieves also” which means “in addition, indeed and even so the robbers, plunderers, freebooters and brigands”, “which were crucified” or “that were palisade, driven down with stakes and hung on a cross” “with him” which means “alongside Jesus”. Matthew referred to the “two criminals” who were “hung on crosses” alongside Jesus.

The verse continues, “... cast the same in his teeth.” Matthew added the words, “cast the same in his teeth” or “upbraided, reviled and reproached Jesus” . Matthew shared how the “two criminals” joined in the “mocking and taunting” of Jesus.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we notice even the “two criminals” were persuaded to ridicule Jesus as He hung on the cross. Nevertheless, Jesus continued to suffer for the sins of the “criminals” as well as all people who have sinned in the world. The world was filled with “sin”, and the penalty for “sin” is death. (See Romans 6:23). Jesus paid the price of “death” for sin so people could be “saved” and have everlasting life with God. Those who are wise yield their lives to Jesus Christ and avoid being like those who “taunt, upbraid, revile and reproach” Jesus.

Next time Matthew wrote how, “from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.