What Does Matthew 27:38 Mean?
Matthew 27:38 describes how two robbers were crucified with Jesus, one on His right and one on His left. This moment shows that Jesus, the innocent Son of God, was treated like a criminal - fulfilling Isaiah 53:12: 'He was numbered with the transgressors.' Even at His lowest, He remained faithful, opening the door to salvation for all, even those who broke the law.
Matthew 27:38
Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left.
Key Facts
Book
Author
Matthew
Genre
Gospel
Date
Approximately 80-90 AD
Key People
- Jesus
- Two robbers
Key Themes
- Fulfillment of prophecy
- Salvation for sinners
- Grace in suffering
- Jesus as the suffering servant
Key Takeaways
- Jesus died among criminals to fulfill God’s promise of salvation.
- Even in agony, Jesus offered grace to the broken.
- No one is beyond hope because Christ died for sinners.
The Scene at the Cross
This moment comes right after Jesus was sentenced and mocked, now hanging on a cross between two criminals.
A short time earlier, Jesus was condemned by the religious leaders and handed over to be crucified, a punishment reserved for the worst offenders. The fact that He was placed between two robbers showed how the world saw Him - not as a king, but as a criminal.
This fulfilled what was written in Isaiah 53:12: 'He was numbered with the transgressors.' Even in His suffering, Jesus stayed true to His mission, opening the way for anyone, no matter how far they’ve fallen, to find grace.
Fulfilling the Scriptures
Jesus being crucified between two robbers wasn’t random - it was the fulfillment of a promise made long before.
The prophet Isaiah had written centuries earlier, 'He was numbered with the transgressors,' and here, in this moment, it came true exactly. Jesus, though innocent, was treated like a criminal, not because He sinned, but because He was taking the place of sinners.
This detail in the story is also found in other Gospels like Mark and Luke, showing how central it was. The cross between two rebels highlights that Jesus came not for the good people, but for everyone who’s messed up, offering grace right in the middle of suffering.
Numbered with the Transgressors
This moment was more than a detail of history; it fulfilled Isaiah 53:12, which says, 'He was numbered with the transgressors; yet He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.'
Matthew includes this to show that Jesus wasn’t accidentally caught up in injustice but was deliberately fulfilling God’s plan all along.
By being crucified between two criminals, Jesus showed He came for people like them - and like us - those who’ve failed, rebelled, or felt beyond help. And in His pain, He prayed for them, proving love goes further than law ever could.
This truth still stands: no one is too far gone. Wherever you are, whoever you’ve been, Jesus is right there - not to condemn, but to open a way home.
The Two Robbers and the Heart of the Gospel
All four Gospels mention that Jesus was crucified between two robbers - Matthew 27:38, Mark 15:27, Luke 23:33, and John 19:18 all record this detail, anchoring it firmly in the eyewitness accounts.
But only Luke tells us what the robbers actually said. In Luke 23:39-43, one mocks Jesus, but the other defends Him, saying, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' Then Jesus replies, 'Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.'
This moment reveals that Jesus died as a criminal and also died for criminals - fulfilling Isaiah 53:12 and showing that His kingdom welcomes the broken who turn to Him.
Where the law could only condemn, Jesus offered mercy in real time, even while suffering. This is the heart of the gospel: not earning favor, but receiving grace from a Savior who reigns even from the cross.
Application
How This Changes Everything: Real Life Impact
I remember sitting in church one Sunday, feeling like I didn’t belong. I’d made too many mistakes - broken trust, walked away from faith, and carried a quiet shame I thought God couldn’t erase. But then I heard the story of the robber on the cross who said, 'Jesus, remember me.' And Jesus said yes. That moment in Matthew 27:38 - Jesus hanging between two criminals - was about more than punishment. It was about invitation. It hit me: Jesus didn’t come for the perfect. He came for people in the middle of their mess, like me. That day, I stopped trying to clean myself up and asked Him to remember me. And He did.
Personal Reflection
- When have I treated others as beyond hope, forgetting that Jesus chose to die among the broken?
- Do I see my own failures as barriers to God - or as the very reason Jesus came?
- How can I extend the same grace to someone this week that Jesus offered from the cross?
A Challenge For You
This week, identify one person you’ve judged or written off - maybe someone with a past, a different lifestyle, or someone who’s hurt you. Instead of looking away, pray for them by name. Then, find one small way to show kindness, as Jesus showed mercy even while suffering.
A Prayer of Response
Jesus, thank you that you didn’t avoid the mess. You went straight into it - hanging between criminals, taking my shame, and offering hope. I don’t need to hide anymore. Thank you for loving me right where I am. Help me to see others the way you do - not as lost causes, but as people you died for. Open my hands to give the same grace you gave me.
Related Scriptures & Concepts
Immediate Context
Matthew 27:37
Describes the charge above Jesus’ head, setting the scene for His crucifixion between two robbers.
Matthew 27:39
Shows the mockery Jesus endured, deepening the contrast between rejection and redemptive love.
Connections Across Scripture
Isaiah 53:12
Prophesies that the Messiah would be numbered with transgressors, directly fulfilled in Matthew 27:38.
Luke 23:43
Reveals Jesus’ mercy to a repentant sinner, showing grace offered from the cross.
1 Peter 2:24
Connects Jesus’ suffering to our salvation, reinforcing the meaning of His crucifixion among sinners.