Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
All Commentaries on Matthew 27:38 Go To Matthew 27
Cornelius a Lapide
AD 1637
Then were there crucified (with the like spikes and nails, says Nonnus, on John 19:19) two thieves, one on the right hand and another on the left. The cross was the punishment of such criminals, and Christ, as placed between them, seemed to be their chief and leader, exactly as the Jews wished, in order to dishonour Him. But God overthrew and turned back on them all their artifices. For, as S. Chrysostom says, "The devil wished to hide the matter, but could not." For though three were crucified, Jesus only was the distinguished one, to show that all proceeded from His power; for the miracles which took place were attributed to no one but Jesus. Thus were the devices of the devil frustrated, and recoiled on his own head; for even of these two one was saved. Thus, then, so far from marring the glory of the Cross, he greatly increased it. For it was as great a matter for the thief to be converted on the Cross, and to enter Paradise, as for the rocks to be rent.
Symbolically: Christ between the thieves represents the last judgment, with the elect on his right hand and the wicked on His left. So S. Ambrose (in Luke 23.); and S. Augustine (Tract. xxxi. in S. John) says, "The Cross, mark it well, was a judgment seat, for the Judges , being between them, he who believed was set free, the other was condemned, signifying the judgment of the quick and dead."
