Category: THE CROSS OF CHRIST

Who were they? Were they Jews? Or Gentiles? Or one of each? Who were they? The only account of them is recorded in the Four Gospels.
There they are called: two thieves, two malefactors, two other.
Which one got to go to Paradise?
Matthew 27:38-44 Then were there two thievescrucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. …..
The thievesalso, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
Matthew records one on the right hand and one on the left hand and both mocked Him.
Mark 15:27-32 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors. And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, Save thyself, and come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. 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.
Mark records one on the right and one on the left, then reminds us Isaiah predicted this in Isaiah 53:9-12. He also says they railed on Him.
Luke 23:32,39-43 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death….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, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Luke refers to them as malefactors. Only one railed on Christ. The rebuked the first and asked Christ to remember him when He comes into His kingdom.
(He acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah).
John 19:18,32 Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst., … Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
John only records that there were two, with Jesus between them. That their Legs had to be broken (Killing them) but the Lord had already given up the ghost.
It appears at least one of them was a Jew, He acknowledged Jesus was the Messiah, and was rewarded by going to Paradise that very day.

To understand where he went … See Paradise

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The Gospels only mention it as the form of Death the Lord Jesus suffered.
It’s mentioned in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19

Not mentioned in Acts as the apostle continued preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. Not mentioned in James Peter, John or Jude nor Revelation.

Paul speaks about the Cross 11 times in 6 of his letters.

1 Corinthians 1:17-18 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Galatians 5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
Galatians 6:12,14 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. … But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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The Cross is seen almost everywhere, in Churches, in outdoor displays and even in Jewelry. It causes one to wonder how many people really know the importance of THE CROSS. How many realize the cross represents the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. In fact, some crosses depict the Lord Jesus STILL hanging on the cross. Do they not realize He rose from the grave, ascended into Heaven, seated at the right hand of God the father?

1 Corinthians 1:17-18 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Galatians 5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
Galatians 6:12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

The image or likeness of a cross is not important. It’s what the Lord Jesus did on the cross that matters. He paid for the sins of the whole world. His coming out of the grave and ascending to Heaven to become an advocate for all who believe.


1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

⇛ continue reading The Cross Part 2
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There are those who believe Christ was crucified on a cross shaped like an X, Others believe it was an I (stake). The scripture does not tell us and a search of crosses points to all three being used as the Romans crucified uncounted thousands.
But just what does the scripture say?  Matthew and Luke give a clue.

Matthew 27:35-38 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there; And set up over his head his accusation written, This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews. Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

Luke 23:35-39  And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, This Is The King Of The Jews.

Did you notice, a sign was nailed OVER HIS HEAD? (Matthew 27:37, Luke 23:38) This rules out an X.  A sign could not have been placed OVER his head. What about an I (stake)? Yes, a sign could have been nailed over his head BUT it would have had to been placed above his HANDS which would have been nailed above his head.

The instrument of Jesus’ crucifixion (known in Latin as crux, in Greek as stauros) is generally taken to have been composed of an upright wooden beam to which was added a transom, thus forming a “cruciform” or T-shaped structure.

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Prior to Being hung on the Cross, Christ had little to say:

Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
Matthew 26:63 But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
Acts 8:32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

And as He hung on the cross He only spoke seven statements (mostly quoting or fulfilling scripture) before he gave up the ghost.

1. Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment and cast lots.
   Psalm 22:18 They part my garments among them and cast lots upon my vesture.
2. Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. (see Luke 16:19-31)
3. John 19:26-27 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
4. Matthew 27:46 (Mark 15:34) And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
   Psalm 22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
5. John 19:28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
   Psalm 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
6. John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
   John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
7. Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
   Psalm 31:5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

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In the early Passages of Matthew, Mark and Luke when Jesus speaks of bearing a cross, He is not referring to HIS CROSS, just a heavy burden:

Matthew 10:38, Luke 14:27 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mark 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Then after His arrest the references in Matthew Mark Luke and John are the actual Cross of Christ:

Matthew 27:32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
Matthew 27:40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Matthew 27:42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
Mark 15:21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
Mark 15:30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross.
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 23:26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.
John 19:17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
John 19:19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.
John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
John 19:31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

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