The Crucifixion

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How many were crucified with Jesus? Do we really know? Has traditions of men led us to the number two? This study is not meant to confuse but to shed light on another possibility. There are many, maybe not so many,  people who feel there were more than two crucified with Jesus. Is it important for salvation? No, but, if the traditional story of two is wrong, I wonder how many more traditions have crept in? I've included the four accounts of the crucifixion of Jesus from the four Gospel.

John's account:
John 19:18 Where they crucified him, and two others with him, on either[1] side one, and Jesus in the midst.

How many was crucified with Jesus? Two or four? See the Interlinear Bible. It states, "Where Him they crucified, and with Him others, two on this side and on that side". Even here in the King James when one looks at the definition of the word either in John 19:18, it's rather obvious.

1 "EITHER": 1782. enteuthen, ent-yoo'-then; from the same as G1759; hence (lit. or fig.); (repeated) on both sides:--(from) hence, on either side.

Luke's account:
Luke 23:32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.

Luke 23:33 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 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Luke 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

Luke 23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

Luke 23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: brut this man hath done nothing amiss.

Luke 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Matthews account:
Mat 27:35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

Mat 27:36 And sitting down they watched him there;

Mat 27:37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Mat 27:38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

Mat 27:39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

Mat 27:40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

Mat 27:41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

Mat 27:42 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.

Mat 27:43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

Mat 27:44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast[1] the same in his teeth.

Note plural. One of the malefactors didn't rail on Jesus.

[1] "CAST": 3679. oneidizo, on-i-did'-zo; from G3681; to defame, i.e. rail at, chide, taunt:--cast in teeth, (suffer) reproach, revile, upbraid.

Mark's account:
Mark 15:27 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.

Mark 15:32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.

Note they, (plural). Only one of the malefactors railed Him.

Back to John's account:
John 19:32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.

John 19:33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

Had there been only one on each side of Jesus, they would have broken the legs of one, came to Jesus and passed Him by, broken the legs of the other, then returned to Jesus.

See Appendix 164 of The Companion Bible by E.W. Bullinger for a detailed account of this. There he has the same photograph as below of five crosses which represents the crucifixion of Jesus.

Thanks, for allowing me, to share this with you. Remember, to always, study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

In His Word,
Art Porter

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