Matthew 27:44

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

{G1161} The thieves {G3027} also {G2532}, which {G3588} were crucified {G4957} with him {G846}, cast {G3679} the same {G846} in his {G846} teeth {G3679}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Even the robbers nailed up with him insulted him in the same way.

Berean Standard Bible

In the same way, even the robbers who were crucified with Him berated Him.

American Standard Version

And the robbers also that were crucified with him cast upon him the same reproach.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 27:44 captures a poignant moment during Jesus' crucifixion, revealing the profound depth of His humiliation as even the two criminals crucified alongside Him joined in the widespread mockery and reviling. This verse underscores the pervasive rejection Jesus faced from all segments of society, from the religious elite to the common populace and even fellow sufferers, highlighting the isolation and scorn He endured as He bore the sins of humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the climactic narrative of Jesus' crucifixion on Golgotha, a scene meticulously detailed by Matthew. Immediately prior, Jesus has been subjected to relentless scorn: first by the Roman soldiers who mockingly dressed Him as a king and saluted Him ([Matthew 27:27-31](/matthew/27-27-31 "Matthew 27:27-31 - The Soldiers Mock Jesus")), then by the passersby who wagged their heads and challenged Him to save Himself ([Matthew 27:39-40](/matthew/27-39-40 "Matthew 27:39-40 - Passersby Taunt Jesus")), and most significantly, by the chief priests, scribes, and elders who derided Him with theological challenges, daring Him to come down from the cross if He was truly the Son of God or the King of Israel ([Matthew 27:41-43](/matthew/27-41-43 "Matthew 27:41-43 - Religious Leaders Mock Jesus")). Matthew 27:44 extends this chorus of contempt to the two criminals, emphasizing the near-universal nature of the rejection Jesus experienced in His final hours.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Roman crucifixion was not merely a method of execution but a public spectacle designed to inflict maximum pain, humiliation, and deterrence. It was reserved for the lowest classes, slaves, and rebels, making Jesus' crucifixion alongside thieves a deliberate act of degradation, associating Him with the worst elements of society. The act of "casting in one's teeth" was a common idiom for severe reproach, public shaming, and verbal abuse, often involving bringing up perceived faults or failures. For the criminals, their mockery might have stemmed from their own despair, bitterness, or a desire to align with the crowd's sentiment, perhaps hoping to deflect attention from their own guilt or to express their frustration at Jesus' perceived inability to save Himself or them. The scene is set on Golgotha, a place of public execution outside Jerusalem, ensuring wide visibility for this profound act of shame.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 27:44 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the crucifixion narrative and the broader Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the **Profound Humiliation of Jesus**, demonstrating that His suffering was not merely physical but also deeply emotional and psychological, as He faced total rejection even from those sharing His condemned state. This universal scorn fulfills the prophetic words about the Messiah being [despised and rejected of men](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant Despised"). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Universal Rejection**, emphasizing that the animosity towards Jesus transcended social strata, coming from Roman authorities, Jewish religious leaders, the common people, and even fellow criminals. This pervasive rejection sets the stage for the magnitude of His atoning sacrifice. Lastly, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Contrasting Responses to Christ**, even if Matthew's account here initially portrays both criminals as mocking. This initial portrayal sets up a powerful contrast with the later account in [Luke 23:39-43](/luke/23-39-43 "Luke 23:39-43 - The Repentant Thief"), where one of the thieves ultimately repents, illustrating the differing human responses to Jesus even in His darkest hour.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **thieves (Greek, _lēistḗs'_):** This term refers to "brigands" or "robbers," often implying violent criminals or insurgents rather than simple petty thieves. By crucifying Jesus between two such individuals, the authorities sought to brand Him as a leader of rebellion or a common criminal, further adding to His public disgrace. The use of this word emphasizes the company Jesus kept in His final moments, highlighting His profound identification with the outcast and condemned.
* **crucified with (Greek, _systauróō'_):** This compound verb literally means "to impale in company with." It highlights the shared fate of Jesus and the two criminals. While they shared the same method of execution, the spiritual significance of Jesus' crucifixion was uniquely redemptive, a stark contrast to the just punishment of the criminals. This shared physical suffering, however, sets the stage for the irony of their mockery.
* **cast in his teeth (Greek, _oneidízō'_):** Derived from a word meaning "reproach" or "disgrace," this idiom signifies to "defame, rail at, chide, or taunt." It conveys a harsh, direct, and contemptuous form of verbal abuse. The phrase implies that the insults were hurled directly at Jesus, intended to inflict emotional pain and underscore His perceived failure or helplessness in His moment of greatest vulnerability.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The thieves also":** This phrase immediately connects the criminals to the preceding groups who mocked Jesus. The word "also" (from Greek _kai_ or _de_) emphasizes their inclusion in the widespread scorn, indicating that even those sharing His horrific fate joined the chorus of derision. It highlights the universality of the rejection Jesus faced.
* **"which were crucified with him":** This clause provides the immediate context for the thieves' presence and their shared experience with Jesus. It underscores the physical proximity and the common, agonizing method of their execution. The irony here is profound: those suffering the same extreme punishment as Jesus still found the capacity to revile Him.
* **"cast the same in his teeth":** This idiomatic expression vividly describes the nature of their mockery. It means they reproached, reviled, or insulted Him harshly and contemptuously. The "same" refers to the taunts previously hurled by the chief priests and others—challenges for Jesus to save Himself if He was truly the Son of God. This indicates that the thieves echoed the very insults that had been directed at Jesus by the religious and civic leaders, demonstrating the pervasive nature of the scorn.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew employs several literary devices to heighten the impact of this scene. The most prominent is **Irony**, as those who share Jesus' condemned state, facing the same agonizing death, join in His mockery. This creates a profound sense of isolation for Jesus, highlighting the depth of His suffering. The phrase "cast the same in his teeth" is a powerful **Idiom**, conveying the harsh, direct, and contemptuous nature of the insults, emphasizing the verbal assault Jesus endured. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing** in this universal rejection, pointing to the ultimate human depravity that necessitates Christ's sacrifice, and the widespread unbelief that would persist even after His resurrection. The scene also functions as **Symbolism**, with the cross becoming not only an instrument of execution but a stark symbol of utter human rejection and the depths of sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 27:44 profoundly illustrates the theological concept of Jesus' vicarious suffering, not only physically but also emotionally and spiritually. His endurance of universal scorn, even from fellow condemned men, underscores the depths to which He descended in His identification with humanity's sin and shame. This comprehensive rejection highlights the magnitude of the sin He bore and the completeness of His sacrifice. It reveals the extent of human depravity and the hardened heart of humanity, which could mock its very Savior in His most vulnerable moment. Yet, in this ultimate humiliation, Jesus' unwavering obedience to the Father's will shines through, demonstrating His perfect love and resolve to accomplish redemption.

* [Psalm 22:6-7](/psalms/22-6-7 "Psalm 22:6-7 - A Worm and No Man")
* [Hebrews 12:2-3](/hebrews/12-2-3 "Hebrews 12:2-3 - Enduring the Cross")
* [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love While We Were Sinners")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 27:44 serves as a stark mirror, reflecting the human capacity for cruelty and rejection, even towards the innocent and suffering. It challenges us to examine our own hearts: do we, like the unrepentant thieves, join the chorus of the world in mocking, dismissing, or rejecting Christ, especially when His teachings challenge our comfort or when His followers face scorn? Or do we, like the repentant thief in Luke's account, recognize His sovereignty even in His apparent weakness and turn to Him in faith? This verse also calls us to cultivate empathy and compassion, particularly towards those who are suffering and vulnerable. If even those sharing immense pain could revile Jesus, how much more must we guard against judging, mocking, or abandoning others in their distress. Ultimately, it reminds us of the immense cost of our salvation and Jesus' perfect endurance, inspiring us to live lives of gratitude and faithful obedience, even when faced with opposition or misunderstanding.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the universal mockery of Jesus, including by the thieves, deepen your understanding of His suffering and sacrifice?**
* **In what ways might we, perhaps subtly, "cast the same in His teeth" by our attitudes, words, or actions today?**
* **How does Jesus' endurance of such profound scorn challenge or inspire your own response to criticism or rejection?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the pervasive nature of sin and the human heart's capacity for hardened unbelief?**

### FAQ

**Does Matthew's account of both thieves mocking Jesus contradict Luke's account where only one thief repents?**

Answer: No, Matthew's account in [Matthew 27:44](/matthew/27-44 "Matthew 27:44 - The Thieves Mock Jesus") does not necessarily contradict Luke's account in [Luke 23:39-43](/luke/23-39-43 "Luke 23:39-43 - The Repentant Thief"). Matthew's use of the plural "the thieves also... cast the same in his teeth" likely describes the initial attitude of both criminals. It's common in biblical narratives for an initial, generalized statement to be followed by a more specific, nuanced detail. It is highly plausible that both thieves initially joined in the mockery, perhaps out of bitterness, despair, or to align with the crowd. However, as the crucifixion progressed and Jesus' demeanor, words, and the unfolding events (like the darkness and the tearing of the temple veil) became more evident, one of the thieves experienced a profound change of heart and repented. Luke's Gospel, written with a particular emphasis on Jesus' compassion and the grace offered to outcasts, highlights this moment of repentance, which would have occurred *after* the initial period of mockery described by Matthew. The Gospels often provide complementary perspectives rather than contradictory ones, each focusing on different aspects or chronological points of the same event.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 27:44, depicting the ultimate human rejection of Jesus, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the very purpose of His crucifixion. Jesus' willingness to endure such comprehensive scorn, even from the condemned, perfectly aligns with the prophetic portrait of the suffering servant in [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected"), who was "despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain." His silence and endurance in the face of such reviling fulfill the prophecy that "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth" ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - Silent Before His Accusers")). This act of being crucified "with" criminals, and enduring their taunts, underscores His identification with sinful humanity, bearing our shame and reproach as the spotless Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His suffering, therefore, was not merely physical but a complete absorption of humanity's sin, shame, and rejection, culminating in His perfect obedience unto death, even death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Obedience to Death")). In enduring the ultimate reproach, Jesus became the ultimate example for believers, who are called to follow in His steps, knowing that He "when he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly" ([1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Jesus' Example of Suffering")). Thus, the mockery of the thieves, far from diminishing Jesus' glory, magnifies the depth of His atoning love and the completeness of His redemptive work on the cross.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

Luke 23:39

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

Luke 23:43

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

Matthew 27:38

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

Job 30:7

Among the bushes they brayed; under the nettles they were gathered together.

Job 30:9

And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword.

Psalms 35:15

But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: [yea], the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew [it] not; they did tear [me], and ceased not: