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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Luke 23:39 One of the criminals who hung there heaped abuse on Him. "Are You not the Christ?" he said. "Save Yourself and us!"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/23-39.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/42_Luk_23_39.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 23:39 - The Crucifixion" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="One of the criminals who hung there heaped abuse on Him. Are You not the Christ? he said. 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Save yourself and us!&#8221 <a href="/nlt/luke/23.htm">New Living Translation</a> One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” <a href="/esv/luke/23.htm">English Standard Version</a> One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” <a href="/bsb/luke/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> One of the criminals who hung there heaped abuse on Him. “Are You not the Christ?” he said. “Save Yourself and us!” <a href="/blb/luke/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And one of the criminals having been hanged was railing at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!" <a href="/kjv/luke/23.htm">King James Bible</a> And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. <a href="/nkjv/luke/23.htm">New King James Version</a> Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” <a href="/nasb_/luke/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” <a href="/nasb/luke/23.htm">NASB 1995</a> One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, &#8220Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/luke/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And one of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” <a href="/lsb/luke/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And one of the criminals hanging there was blaspheming Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” <a href="/amp/luke/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a> One of the criminals who had been hanged [on a cross beside Him] kept hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us [from death]!” <a href="/csb/luke/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us! ” <a href="/hcsb/luke/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at Him: &#8220Aren&#8217t You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!&#8221 <a href="/asv/luke/23.htm">American Standard Version</a> And one of the malefactors that were hanged railed on him, saying, Art not thou the Christ? save thyself and us. <a href="/cev/luke/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> One of the criminals hanging there also insulted Jesus by saying, "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and save us!" <a href="/erv/luke/23.htm">English Revised Version</a> And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, Art not thou the Christ? save thyself and us. <a href="/gwt/luke/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> One of the criminals hanging there insulted Jesus by saying, "So you're really the Messiah, are you? Well, save yourself and us!" <a href="/gnt/luke/23.htm">Good News Translation</a> One of the criminals hanging there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" <a href="/isv/luke/23.htm">International Standard Version</a> Now one of the criminals hanging there kept insulting him, "You are the Messiah, aren't you? Save yourself…and us!" <a href="/msb/luke/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> One of the criminals who hung there heaped abuse on Him. ?if You are the Christ,? he said, ?Save Yourself and us!? <a href="/net/luke/23.htm">NET Bible</a> One of the criminals who was hanging there railed at him, saying, "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" <a href="/nheb/luke/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> One of the criminals who hung there insulted him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us." <a href="/wbt/luke/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And one of the malefactors, who were hanged, railed on him, saying, If thou art Christ, save thyself and us. <a href="/wey/luke/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Now one of the criminals who had been crucified insulted Him, saying, "Are not you the Christ? Save yourself and us." <a href="/web/luke/23.htm">World English Bible</a> One of the criminals who was hanged insulted him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/luke/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And one of the evildoers who were hanged was slandering Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” <a href="/blb/luke/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And one of the criminals having been hanged was railing at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!" <a href="/ylt/luke/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And one of the evil-doers who were hanged, was speaking evil of him, saying, 'If thou be the Christ, save thyself and us.' <a href="/slt/luke/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And one of the evil doers hanged, blasphemed him, saying, If thou art Christ, save thyself and us.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/luke/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And one of those robbers who were hanged, blasphemed him, saying: If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. <a href="/cpdv/luke/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And one of those robbers who were hanging blasphemed him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us.” <a href="/nabre/luke/23.htm">New American Bible</a> Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” <a href="/nrsvce/luke/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/luke/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Now one of the malefactors who were crucified with him, blasphemed against him, saying, If you are the Christ, save yourself and save us also. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/23.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But one of those evildoers who were crucified with him was blaspheming him and he said, “If you are The Messiah, save yourself and save us also.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/luke/23.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And one of the evil-doers that were hanged reviled him, saying: If you are the Christ, save yourself and us. <a href="/godbey/luke/23.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And one of the malefactors having been hung up, continued to blaspheme Him, saying, If thou art the Christ, save thyself and us. <a href="/haweis/luke/23.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Then one of the suspended malefactors blasphemed him, saying, If thou art the Messiah, save thyself and us. <a href="/mace/luke/23.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Now one of the malefactors, that was crucified with him, impiously said, if thou art the Christ, save thy self, and us. <a href="/wey/luke/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Now one of the criminals who had been crucified insulted Him, saying, "Are not you the Christ? Save yourself and us." <a href="/worrell/luke/23.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And one of the suspended malefactors kept reviling Him, saying, "Art not Thou the Christ? Save Thyself and us!" <a href="/worsley/luke/23.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And one of the malefactors that were executed with Him reviled Him, saying, If thou be the Messiah, save thyself and us. <a href="/parallel/luke/23-39.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=9332" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/luke/23.htm">The Crucifixion</a> …38Above Him was posted an inscription: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/1520.htm" title="1520: Heis (Adj-NMS) -- One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.">One</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/2557.htm" title="2557: kakourgōn (Adj-GMP) -- (lit: an evil-worker), a criminal. From kakos and the base of ergon; a wrong-doer, i.e. Criminal.">criminals</a> <a href="/greek/2910.htm" title="2910: kremasthentōn (V-APP-GMP) -- To hang, hang up, suspend; mid: To be hanging, hang. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to hang.">who hung there</a> <a href="/greek/987.htm" title="987: eblasphēmei (V-IIA-3S) -- From blasphemos; to vilify; specially, to speak impiously.">heaped abuse on</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Him.</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ei (V-PIA-2S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist."></a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sy (PPro-N2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">“Are You</a> <a href="/greek/3780.htm" title="3780: Ouchi (IntPrtcl) -- By no means, not at all. Intensive of ou; not indeed.">not</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/5547.htm" title="5547: Christos (N-NMS) -- Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.">Christ?”</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">he said.</a> <a href="/greek/4982.htm" title="4982: sōson (V-AMA-2S) -- To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect.">“Save</a> <a href="/greek/4572.htm" title="4572: seauton (PPro-AM2S) -- Of yourself. ">Yourself</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmas (PPro-A1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">us!”</a> 40But the other one rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same judgment?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/27-44.htm">Matthew 27:44</a> In the same way, even the robbers who were crucified with Him berated Him. <a href="/mark/15-32.htm">Mark 15:32</a> Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, so that we may see and believe!” And even those who were crucified with Him berated Him. <a href="/isaiah/53-12.htm">Isaiah 53:12</a> Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors. <a href="/psalms/22-7.htm">Psalm 22:7-8</a> All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads: / “He trusts in the LORD, let the LORD deliver him; let the LORD rescue him, since He delights in him.” <a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a> for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, <a href="/1_peter/2-23.htm">1 Peter 2:23</a> When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. <a href="/proverbs/1-22.htm">Proverbs 1:22</a> “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge? <a href="/john/19-18.htm">John 19:18</a> There they crucified Him, and with Him two others, one on each side, with Jesus in the middle. <a href="/matthew/27-38.htm">Matthew 27:38</a> Two robbers were crucified with Him, one on His right and the other on His left. <a href="/mark/15-27.htm">Mark 15:27-28</a> Along with Jesus, they crucified two robbers, one on His right and one on His left. / So the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “And he was numbered with the transgressors.” <a href="/john/19-32.htm">John 19:32-33</a> So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and those of the other. / But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. <a href="/2_corinthians/5-21.htm">2 Corinthians 5:21</a> God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. <a href="/hebrews/12-3.htm">Hebrews 12:3</a> Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. <a href="/psalms/69-20.htm">Psalm 69:20-21</a> Insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found no one. / They poisoned my food with gall and gave me vinegar to quench my thirst. <a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Isaiah 53:3</a> He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If you be Christ, save yourself and us.<a href="/luke/17-34.htm">Luke 17:34-36</a> I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left… <a href="/matthew/27-44.htm">Matthew 27:44</a> The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.<a href="/mark/15-32.htm">Mark 15:32</a> 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.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/6-28.htm">Abuse</a> <a href="/luke/23-36.htm">Bitter</a> <a href="/luke/23-35.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/luke/23-33.htm">Criminals</a> <a href="/luke/23-33.htm">Cross</a> <a href="/luke/23-33.htm">Crucified</a> <a href="/luke/23-22.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/luke/23-33.htm">Evil-Doers</a> <a href="/luke/9-26.htm">Feeling</a> <a href="/luke/17-2.htm">Hanged</a> <a href="/luke/19-48.htm">Hung</a> <a href="/luke/4-36.htm">Hurled</a> <a href="/mark/15-29.htm">Hurling</a> <a href="/luke/18-32.htm">Insulted</a> <a href="/mark/15-32.htm">Insults</a> <a href="/luke/23-33.htm">Malefactors</a> <a href="/mark/15-29.htm">Railed</a> <a href="/luke/23-37.htm">Save</a> <a href="/luke/22-65.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/luke/23-37.htm">Thyself</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/9-18.htm">Abuse</a> <a href="/john/6-41.htm">Bitter</a> <a href="/luke/24-26.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-21.htm">Criminals</a> <a href="/luke/24-7.htm">Cross</a> <a href="/luke/24-7.htm">Crucified</a> <a href="/john/3-19.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/luke/24-7.htm">Evil-Doers</a> <a href="/john/11-38.htm">Feeling</a> <a href="/acts/5-30.htm">Hanged</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-13.htm">Hung</a> <a href="/john/9-28.htm">Hurled</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-4.htm">Hurling</a> <a href="/john/9-28.htm">Insulted</a> <a href="/john/9-28.htm">Insults</a> <a href="/luke/23-32.htm">Malefactors</a> <a href="/john/9-28.htm">Railed</a> <a href="/john/3-13.htm">Save</a> <a href="/luke/24-32.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/john/1-22.htm">Thyself</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 23</div>1. <a href="/luke/23-1.htm">Jesus is accused before Pilate, and sent to Herod.</a> 8. <a href="/luke/23-8.htm">Herod mocks him.</a> 12. <a href="/luke/23-12.htm">Herod and Pilate become friends.</a> 13. <a href="/luke/23-13.htm">Barabbas is desired of the people, </a> 24. <a href="/luke/23-24.htm">and is released by Pilate, and Jesus is given to be crucified.</a> 26. <a href="/luke/23-26.htm">He tells the women, that lament him, the destruction of Jerusalem;</a> 34. <a href="/luke/23-34.htm">prays for his enemies.</a> 39. <a href="/luke/23-39.htm">Two criminals are crucified with him.</a> 46. <a href="/luke/23-46.htm">His death.</a> 50. <a href="/luke/23-50.htm">His burial.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>One of the criminals who hung there heaped abuse on Him. This phrase introduces one of the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus. The act of crucifixion was a Roman method of execution reserved for the most serious offenders, indicating the severity of the crimes committed by these individuals. The criminal's act of heaping abuse on Jesus highlights the fulfillment of the prophecy in <a href="/psalms/22-7.htm">Psalm 22:7</a>, which speaks of the Messiah being mocked. This moment also reflects the broader rejection of Jesus by many during His earthly ministry, as seen in <a href="/john/1-11.htm">John 1:11</a>, where it states that He came to His own, but His own did not receive Him. The criminal's behavior contrasts with the other criminal's later repentance, illustrating the varied human responses to Jesus' identity and mission.“Are You not the Christ?” he said. The question posed by the criminal is both mocking and revealing. It reflects a common misunderstanding of the Messiah's role, as many Jews of the time expected a political liberator rather than a suffering servant. The term "Christ" is the Greek equivalent of "Messiah," meaning "Anointed One." This question echoes the taunts Jesus faced from religious leaders and soldiers, as seen in <a href="/luke/23-35.htm">Luke 23:35-37</a>, where they challenge Him to save Himself if He is truly the chosen one. The criminal's question underscores the irony of the situation: Jesus is indeed the Christ, but His mission involves suffering and sacrifice, not immediate earthly deliverance.“Save Yourself and us!” This demand reflects a misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and the nature of salvation. The criminal's plea for physical deliverance mirrors the expectations of many who desired a Messiah who would overthrow Roman rule and restore Israel's independence. However, Jesus' mission was to provide spiritual salvation through His sacrificial death, as prophesied in <a href="/isaiah/53-5.htm">Isaiah 53:5</a>, which speaks of the suffering servant who is pierced for our transgressions. The request to "save Yourself and us" also highlights the human tendency to seek immediate relief from suffering without understanding the deeper purpose behind it. This moment foreshadows the ultimate salvation Jesus offers through His resurrection, as later affirmed in <a href="/romans/5-8.htm">Romans 5:8</a>, where God's love is demonstrated through Christ's death for sinners.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_criminals.htm">The Criminals</a> Two criminals were crucified alongside Jesus. They represent humanity's sinful nature and the different responses to Jesus. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> Central figure of the crucifixion, the Messiah who is being mocked even in His suffering. 3. <a href="/topical/g/golgotha.htm">Golgotha</a> The place of the crucifixion, also known as "The Place of the Skull," where Jesus and the criminals were executed. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_mocking.htm">The Mocking</a> The event where one of the criminals mocks Jesus, challenging His identity and power. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_cross.htm">The Cross</a> The instrument of execution, symbolizing both suffering and redemption.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_unbelief.htm">The Nature of Unbelief</a> The mocking criminal represents those who reject Christ, even when faced with the reality of His presence and power. <a href="/topical/t/the_challenge_of_faith.htm">The Challenge of Faith</a> In times of suffering, our faith is tested. The criminal's challenge to Jesus reflects a lack of faith and understanding of Jesus' mission. <a href="/topical/t/the_response_to_jesus.htm">The Response to Jesus</a> Our response to Jesus in our lives can be one of mockery or acceptance. The choice we make has eternal consequences. <a href="/topical/t/the_misunderstanding_of_salvation.htm">The Misunderstanding of Salvation</a> The criminal's demand for Jesus to save Himself and them reflects a misunderstanding of the nature of Jesus' mission, which was to provide spiritual, not just physical, salvation. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_redemption.htm">The Power of Redemption</a> Despite the mockery, Jesus' presence on the cross is a powerful testament to His love and willingness to save even those who mock Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 23</a> <a href="/q/who_was_the_thief_beside_jesus.htm">Who was the thief on the cross beside Jesus?</a> <a href="/q/is_baptism_essential_for_salvation.htm">Is baptism necessary for salvation? (Mark 16:16 vs. 1 Corinthians 1:17)</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_essence_of_the_ragamuffin_gospel.htm">What is the essence of The Ragamuffin Gospel?</a> <a href="/q/how_do_strict_penalties_align_with_forgiveness.htm">Deuteronomy 19:15–19: How can a strict penalty for false witnesses reconcile with passages elsewhere in the Bible that emphasize forgiveness?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(39) And one of the malefactors.--The incident that follows is singularly characteristic of St. Luke. If we ask how he came to know what the other Gospels pass over, we may, I think, find his probable informants once more in the devout women who followed Jesus to the place of Crucifixion, and who stood near enough to the cross to hear what was then spoken. The word for "hanged" is used by St. Luke (<a href="/acts/5-30.htm" title="The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you slew and hanged on a tree.">Acts 5:30</a>; <a href="/acts/10-39.htm" title="And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:">Acts 10:39</a>) and St. Paul (<a href="/galatians/3-13.htm" title="Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree:">Galatians 3:13</a>) as applied to crucifixion.Railed on him.--Literally, was blaspheming, but in the sense in which that word signifies the "reviling" of which man, and not God, may be the object. He, too, catches up the taunt of the rulers and the soldiers.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 39, 40. - And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God? In the first two synoptists we read how, shortly after they were nailed to their crosses, both thieves "reviled" Jesus. The Greek word, however, used by SS. Matthew and Mark is ὠνείδιζον (reproached). The word used by St, Luke in this place of the impenitent one is ἐβλασφήμει, "began to use injurious and insulting language" - a much stronger term. Farrar suggests that at first, during the early hours of the Crucifixion, in the madness of anguish and despair, they both probably joined in the reproaches levelled by all classes alike at One who might seem to them to have thrown away a great opportunity. They, no doubt, knew something, possibly much, of Jesus' career, and how he had deliberately prevented more than once the multitude from proclaiming him King. Watching him as he hung bravely patient on his cross, only breaking the dread silence with a low-muttered prayer for his murderers to his Father, one of these misguided men changed his opinion of his fellow-Sufferer, changed his opinion, too, of his own past career. There, dying with a prayer for others on his lips, was the Example of true heroism, of real patriotism. If thou be Christ. The more ancient authorities read, Art thou not the Christ? But the other. In the Apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus the names of the two are given as Dysmas and Gysmas, and these names appear still in Calvaries and stations in Roman Catholic lands. Seeing thou art in the same condemnation. His words might be paraphrased, "How canst thou, a dying man, join these mere lookers-on at our execution and agony? we are undergoing it ourselves. Dost thou net fear God? In a few hours we shall be before him. We have at all events deserved our doom; but not this Sufferer whom you revile. What has he done?" <a href="/commentaries/luke/23-39.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>One Εἷς (Heis) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1520.htm">Strong's 1520: </a> One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one. of the τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. criminals κακούργων (kakourgōn) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2557.htm">Strong's 2557: </a> (lit: an evil-worker), a criminal. From kakos and the base of ergon; a wrong-doer, i.e. Criminal. who hung [there] κρεμασθέντων (kremasthentōn) Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2910.htm">Strong's 2910: </a> To hang, hang up, suspend; mid: To be hanging, hang. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to hang. heaped abuse on ἐβλασφήμει (eblasphēmei) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_987.htm">Strong's 987: </a> From blasphemos; to vilify; specially, to speak impiously. Him. αὐτόν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. “Are You σὺ (sy) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. not Οὐχὶ (Ouchi) IntPrtcl <a href="/greek/strongs_3780.htm">Strong's 3780: </a> By no means, not at all. Intensive of ou; not indeed. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Christ?” Χριστός (Christos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5547.htm">Strong's 5547: </a> Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. he said. λέγων (legōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. “Save σῶσον (sōson) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4982.htm">Strong's 4982: </a> To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect. Yourself σεαυτὸν (seauton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4572.htm">Strong's 4572: </a> Of yourself. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. us!” ἡμᾶς (hēmas) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/23-39.htm">Luke 23:39 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/luke/23-39.htm">Luke 23:39 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/luke/23-39.htm">Luke 23:39 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/luke/23-39.htm">Luke 23:39 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/luke/23-39.htm">Luke 23:39 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/23-39.htm">Luke 23:39 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/23-39.htm">Luke 23:39 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/23-39.htm">Luke 23:39 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/luke/23-39.htm">Luke 23:39 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/luke/23-39.htm">Luke 23:39 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/luke/23-39.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 23:39 One of the criminals who was hanged (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/23-38.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 23:38"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 23:38" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/23-40.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 23:40"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 23:40" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>