Why were there three persons at the cross? I know why jesus was there! but what was the purpose of the two thiefs being there and why was jesus in the middle of the two?
2007-04-02 04:48:21 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
HI
Jesus was their because the religious leaders put him there for acts of treason so to speak, he taught that they were wrong and for people to repent then the religious leaders convinced the politically leaders that he was a threat, so he ended up inbetween two criminals and one repented and he told him trully you will be with me in paradise.
Lammy
2007-04-02 04:54:42 · answer #1 · answered by Clammy S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The thieves were being punished for crimes they had committed. They took care of more than one Crucifixion at a time.
No real reason why Jesus was in the middle.
But symbolically, in Revelation, He will divide the sheep from the goats. The goats will be on His left, and cast into eternal fire. On the cross, the thief on His left mocked Jesus, telling Him if He was the Son of God, to come down from the cross. He did not believe in Jesus.
2007-04-02 11:55:36 · answer #2 · answered by jaherrera3499@sbcglobal.net 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The thieves were there because they had been sentenced to crucifixtion by the Romans. I'm sure the Romans put Jesus in the middle to symbolize their power at being able to execute "the king of the jews."
God used the thieves to show us that redemption can come even at the last minute. The one thief recognized the reality of Jesus and begged forgiveness. He was sincere and forgiven. While it would be better to give our live to God early and therefore be able do more for Him, it is a comfort to know that as long as there is breath, there is hope.
2007-04-02 11:54:02 · answer #3 · answered by Sharon M 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They just happened to be sentenced to die at the same time as Jesus. As for why they were positioned that way, I don't think there was any significance. If there was, it would be to show how those of us who end up "on the right hand of the Father" are the ones in heaven and the others are doomed for Hell.
2007-04-02 13:41:14 · answer #4 · answered by bigvol662004 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus wasn't the only "criminal" to be crucified. It was a common form of capital punishment in His day. On that particular day there happened to be two thieves getting crucified too. He might have been put in the middle just to be symbolic. After all, here was the "great" "King" of the Jews. Look at him, stuck between two common thieves! It was the government's way of saying "We told you He was no good."
But God used the two thieves to show us a great instance of grace when Jesus says to one "Today you will be with me in paradise."
2007-04-02 11:54:19 · answer #5 · answered by gatech-dragon 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It was a fulfilling of a prophecy that said he would be crucified between 2 thieves...from Mark 15:27-28..
27. And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.
28. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors. This was the fulfillment ..but the prophecy came from Isaiah 53:12
God bless
2007-04-02 11:58:24 · answer #6 · answered by soldier612 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The 2 thieve symbolize man. One choose to mock Jesus and the other said "will you remember me this day" which Jesus said He would. The symbolism is that some of us will choose to mock and not accept Christ while others will humble themselves and accept Him. Also, barbarus (sp?), the man that was set free in exchange for Christ, stood below the cross and knew Christ took his place on the cross which is what we are all called to recognize.
2007-04-02 11:55:13 · answer #7 · answered by sammyw1024 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Other than being common thieves nothing is known. But we do know that crucification was reserved for people who acted treasonist toward the state. It would not be to far from wrong is saying that they may have been part of a band of Jews Known as Zealotes who used murder to overthrow Rome.
2007-04-02 11:55:35 · answer #8 · answered by s. grant 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is an entire sermon behind your question. One of the reasons, I believe is because of the thief that repented at the end, and accepted Christ. This shows me that it is never too late to be saved.
2007-04-02 11:52:29 · answer #9 · answered by Dr. Linder 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's a picture of humanity. We're all going to die one day. One thief repented and believed in Jesus, the other one didn't. Which side of the cross are you on?
2007-04-02 11:51:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋