Mathew records that the two robbers who were crucified with Jesus reviled Him:
Matthew 27:44 (NKJV)
44 Even THE ROBBERS who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.
To “revile” means to use abusive or derogatory language against someone. A seeming discrepancy arises in Luke’s note however, who states that it was one of the criminals who blasphemed Him while the other sought redemption:
Luke 23:39-43 (NKJV)
39 Then ONE of the criminals who were hanged BLASPHEMED HIM, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” 40 But THE OTHER, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
So Matthew records both robbers reviling Jesus, but Luke says just one did while the other asked to be saved. The dilemma remains: Who is correct? Both are!
The seeming contradiction here can be easily resolved once you understand that Luke recorded what happened moments later, after Matthew’s account: BOTH robbers insulted Jesus INITIALLY (as per Matthew’s account), then LATER ON, one of them REPENTED and asked to be saved (as per Luke’s account). You must read ALL THEIR NOTES TOGETHER in order to get the full picture.
© Josh Banks Ministries. 2021.
