18 where they crucified him, and with him two others, on either side one, and Jesus in the middle.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
And two others with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. As if the severity of the punishment had not been sufficient of itself, he is hanged in the midst between two robbers, as if he not only had deserved to be classed with other robbers, but had been the most wicked and the most detestable of them all. We ought always to remember, that the wicked executioners of Christ did nothing but what had been determined by the hand and purpose of God; [1] for God did not surrender his Son to their lawless passions, but determined that, according to his own will and good pleasure, he should be offered as a sacrifice. And if there were the best reasons for the purpose of God in all those things which he determined that his Son should suffer, we ought to consider, on the one hand, the dreadful weight of his wrath against sin, and, on the other hand, his infinite goodness towards us. In no other way could our guilt be removed than by the Son of God becoming a curse for us. We see him driven out into an accursed place, as if he had been polluted by a mass of all sorts of crimes, that there he might appear to be accursed before God and men. Assuredly we are prodigiously stupid, if we do not plainly see in this mirror with what abhorrence God regards sin; and we are harder than stones, if we do not tremble at such a judgment as this. When, on the other hand, God declares that our salvation was so dear to him, that he did not spare his only-begotten Son, what abundant goodness and what astonishing grace do we here behold! Whoever, then, takes a just view of the causes of the death of Christ, together with the advantage which it yields to us, will not, like the Greeks, regard the doctrlne of the cross as foolishness, nor, like the Jews, will he regard it as an offense, (1-Corinthians 1:23,) but rather as an invaluable token and pledge of the power, and wisdom, and righteousness, and goodness of God. When John says, that the name of the place was Golgotha, he means that, in the Chaldaic or Syriac language, it was called glglt', (Gulgaltha.) The name is derived from glgl, (Gilgel, [2] ) which signifies, to roll; because a skull is round like a ball or globe. [3]
1 - "N ont rien fait qui n eust este decrete et ordonne par le conseil de Dieu;" -- "did nothing which had not been decreed and appointed by the purpose of God."
2 - The Pihel of, gll, (Galal.) -- Ed.
3 - "The place where Christ was crucified appears to have received this name, not -- as some have imagined -- because the shape of the mountain resembled a human head, but because it was filled with the skulls of malefactors who had been put to death there." -- Schleusner on the word Golgotha
Two other - Matthew and Mark in the parallel places calls them robbers or murderers; they probably belonged to the gang of Barabbas. See about the figure of the cross, and the nature of crucifixion, on Matthew 27:35 (note).
Where they crucified him,.... Namely, at Golgotha, the same with Calvary; and so had what they were so desirous of:
and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst: these other two men were thieves, as the other evangelists declare; among whom Christ was placed, being numbered and reckoned among transgressors: he was no transgressor of the law of God himself, but he was accounted as such by men, and was treated as if he had been one by the justice of God; he, as a surety, standing in the legal place, and stead of his people; hence he died in their room, and for their sins: this shows the low estate of Christ, the strictness of justice, the wisdom of God in salvation, and the grace and love of the Redeemer; who condescended to everything, and every circumstance, though ever so reproachful, which were necessary for the redemption of his people, and the glory of the divine perfections, and for the fulfilment of purposes, promises, and predictions.
they crucified him, and two others with him--"malefactors" (Luke 23:33), "thieves" (rather "robbers," Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27).
on either side one and Jesus in the midst--a hellish expedient, to hold Him up as the worst of the three. But in this, as in many other of their doings, "the scripture was fulfilled, which saith (Isaiah 53:12), And he was numbered with the transgressors"-- (Mark 15:28) --though the prediction reaches deeper. "Then said Jesus"--["probably while being nailed to the CROSS,"] [OLSHAUSEN], "FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO" (Luke 23:34) --and again the Scripture was fulfilled which said, "And He made intercession for the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12), though this also reaches deeper. (See Acts 3:17; Acts 13:27; and compare 1-Timothy 1:13). Often have we occasion to observe how our Lord is the first to fulfil His own precepts--thus furnishing the right interpretation and the perfect Model of them. (See on Matthew 5:44). How quickly was it seen in "His martyr Stephen," that though He had left the earth in Person, His Spirit remained behind, and Himself could, in some of His brightest lineaments, be reproduced in His disciples! (Acts 7:60). And what does the world in every age owe to these few words, spoken where and as they were spoken!
*More commentary available at chapter level.