Mark 15:32 NKJV – “… Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him."
Matthew 27:44 NKJV - "Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing."
Luke 23:39-40 NKJV - "Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?"
Answer:
As in Mark 15:22-32, Pilate handed over Jesus to Jews at 9’0 clock. The Lord Christ was crucified at midday 12’0 clock. They were alive in 3 hours on the cross. Starting the crucifixion in early hours, those who went near the cross, were the scribes, Pharisees, and also the thieves, who were crucified right and left of Jesus, etc., were blasphemed, ridiculed and mocked at Him.
The agony of death on the cross was terrible long lasting, and intolerable one. No one can tolerate. In such stage, the thieves, who were in agony, would have reviled Him. In this, is there any astonishment?
But, in the proximity of the Lord one of the criminals who were hanged and blasphemed the Lord Christ, changed his mind, repented, rebuked him (thief) and said, “Do you not ever fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?”
“And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong!”
Here, the thief, who was the right of Jesus, knew that the people, who did good deeds, could inherit the kingdom of heaven. So, he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You came into Your kingdom”. In this way, the thief on the right pleaded the Lord Christ.
Even though the thief, who was crucified at the right to the Lord Christ, mocked and blasphemed Jesus, the 3 hour time on the cross gave him the chance to repent. The criminal got repentance during such long gap. So, the thief uttered with the same mouth, which mocked at the Lord Jesus, said, “And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong”. Matthew 24:40-42, “Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.” Just as the above sentence goes, among the two criminals, who were crucified right and left to the Lord Christ, one thief got repentance for his sins and pleaded the Lord Christ, to remember him, when Jesus comes into his kingdom. So, both the criminals who were crucified either side of the Lord Christ, were in agony. But, one would be taken and other left.
