Transcript Slide 1

The Four Thieves
of the Crucifixion
We are familiar with the two thieves
crucified alongside Christ
However, actually four thieves
involved in the total crucifixion scene
The Lord Himself was treated as if
He were a common criminal
In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are
ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves
for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the
temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
Matthew 26:55
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.
Luke 23:32, 33
We are familiar with the two thieves
crucified alongside Christ
However, actually four thieves
involved in the total crucifixion scene
The Lord Himself was treated as if
He were a common criminal
He had earlier spoken about this
All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers:
but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by
me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall
go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh
not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am
come that they might have life, and that they might
have it more abundantly.
John 10:8-10
Although the Lord was not a thief,
there were four connected with His
crucifixion who were
Who were these men, and how are
they remembered?
The Thief Who
Regretted
Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot,
Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not
this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and
given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for
the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the
bag, and bare what was put therein.
John 12:4-6
Judas was originally chosen by
Jesus- taught and sent forth
He held
treasurer
a
position
of
trust-
He observed and had the ability to
perform miracles
He had preached “the kingdom of
God is at hand”
But, he betrayed the Lord and fell
Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went
unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will
ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And
they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
And from that time he sought opportunity to betray
him.
Matthew 26:14-16
And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which
knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these
two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this
ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by
transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
Acts 1:24, 25
But, he betrayed the Lord and fell
His betrayal turned to regret…
Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he
was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the
thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying,
I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.
And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And
he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and
departed, and went and hanged himself.
Matthew 27:3-5
But, he betrayed the Lord and fell
His betrayal turned to regret…
…but sadly, not to repentance
The phrase “repented himself”
means to be sorry afterward and may
lead to repentance, but does not
itself include repentance
Peter’s sorrow led him back to the
Savior; Judas’s sorrow led him to
suicide
He was the thief who regretted
The Thief Who Was
Replaced
Matthew introduces him to us
Now at that feast the governor was wont to release
unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And
they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
Matthew 27:15, 16
Matthew introduces him to us
John tells us he was a thief; and tells
us of the custom to release a
prisoner at the Jewish Passover
But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you
one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release
unto you the King of the Jews? Then cried they all
again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now
Barabbas was a robber.
John 18:39, 40
Matthew introduces him to us
John tells us he was a thief; and tells
us of the custom to release a
prisoner at the Jewish Passover
The gathered crowd had a choice to
make
Peter later spoke of that choice
The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God
of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye
delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate,
when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the
Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be
granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God
hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
Acts 3:13-15
Just as He did with Barabbas,
Jesus has taken each of our places
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also
suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should
follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found
in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again;
when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed
himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self
bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being
dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose
stripes ye were healed.
I Peter 2:21-24
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than
the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with
glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should
taste death for every man.
Hebrews 2:9
Just as He did with Barabbas,
Jesus has taken each of our places
As a symbol of each of us,
Barabbas stands as the thief who
was replaced
The Thief Who
Rebelled
Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one
on the right hand, and another on the left.
Matthew 27:38
His crucifixion between two thieves
fulfilled Old Testament prophecy
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.
Isaiah 53:12
And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on
his right hand, and the other on his left. And the
scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was
numbered with the transgressors.
Mark 15:27, 28
His crucifixion between two thieves
fulfilled Old Testament prophecy
Both thieves mocked Jesus and
challenged His claim to be the Son
of God
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. The thieves also, which were
crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
Matthew 27:41-44
His crucifixion between two thieves
fulfilled Old Testament prophecy
Both thieves mocked Jesus and
challenged His claim to be the Son
of God
One of them kept on (Gr. imperfect)
“railing on Him”
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed
on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
Luke 23:39
What kept this thief
impenitent?
What he forgot about
Fearing God
Death was at hand
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost
not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same
condemnation?
Luke 23:40
What kept this thief
impenitent?
What he forgot about
Fearing God
Death was at hand
Justice was being done
And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward
of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
Luke 23:41
What kept this thief
impenitent?
What he forgot about
What he failed at
Seeing what was most important
Seeking deliverance
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but
after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to
bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for
him shall he appear the second time without sin unto
salvation.
Hebrews 9:27, 28
Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my
saying, he shall never see death.
John 8:51
His crucifixion between two thieves
fulfilled Old Testament prophecy
Both thieves mocked Jesus and
challenged His claim to be the Son
of God
One of them kept on (Gr. imperfect)
“railing on Him”
He is the thief who rebelled
The Thief Who
Repented
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. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee,
To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Luke 23:40-43
This thief had a change of heart
In his pain and suffering he turned to
the center cross
Why Was this thief
penitent?
Feared God
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost
not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same
condemnation?
Luke 23:40
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the
fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
Proverbs 16:6
Why Was this thief
penitent?
Feared God
Knew death was at hand
Knew sinfulness of his own conduct
And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward
of our deeds…
Luke 23:41a
Why Was this thief
penitent?
Feared God
Knew death was at hand
Knew sinfulness of his own conduct
Was impressed with Christ’s innocence
…but this man hath done nothing amiss.
Luke 23:41b
For we have not an high priest which cannot be
touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in
all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15
This thief had a change of heart
In his pain and suffering he turned to
the center cross
His regret led him to renewal
He is the thief who repented
There were
four thieves
associated
with the
crucifixion
of
Christ
The Thief Who
Regretted
Admitted his wrong, but ended
it all without repentance
The Thief Who Was
Replaced
Have no idea what he did with
his new lease on life
The Thief Who
Rebelled
Ignored his guilt and cursed
his way into a devil’s hell
The Thief Who
Repented
Admitted his guilt and turned
to his only Source of hope
-from an outline by Kenneth Chambers- 1995