The Bible clearly states 4 + Jesus = 5 in total!
There were 2 MALEFACTORS led with Him those two were crucified TOGETHER with Jesus. Jesus being in the middle, then they crucified 2 THIEVES once again placing them one on the left and one right of Jesus further away from Jesus and the 2 MALEFACTORS.
Then they broke the legs of the first, and of the other confirming that Jesus was 3rd in a line of 5. For Jesus was in the middle of the TRANSGRESSORS. Thus he was numbered with the transgressors.
All scripture is listed below. Luke’s events took place before Matthew’s read it this way and you will understand.
Mat 27:35 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.
Mat 27:36 And sitting down they watched him there;
Mat 27:37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Mat 27:38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
Mat 27:39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
Mat 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.
Mat 27:41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
Mat 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.
Mat 27:43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
Mat 27:44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
Mar 15:24 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.
Mar 15:25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.
Mar 15:26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Mar 15:27 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.
Mar 15:28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.
Luk 23:32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
Luk 23:33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
Luk 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Luk 23:35 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.
Luk 23:36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
Luk 23:37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
Luk 23:38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Luk 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
Luk 23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
Joh 19:16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
Joh 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:
Joh 19:18 Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.
Joh 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.
Joh 19:20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.
Joh 19:21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.
Joh 19:32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
Joh 19:33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
The events that took place that day!
-
Jesus arrived at Calvary. With him two MALEFACTORS were led.
-
The three of them were crucified together.
-
The soldiers divide his garments.
-
A description is set up in the cross.
-
Then two THIEVES were crucified as well.
-
One of the MALEFACTORS reviled Jesus. The other rebuked him and asked the Lord for His remembrance.
-
Both of the THIEVES reviled Jesus. None asked for His remembrance.
-
Then the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.
Jesus in the middle Jn. 19:18
ThiefMalefactorJESUSMalefactorThief
The first The otherJesus was dead so they brake not his legs Jn. 19:33
John did not need to record what happened to the other two, for his purpose was to show the order of events that took place before they came to Jesus to brake his legs.
Thieves are robbers
Malefactors are evildoers
Transgressors are all of the above!
All four Gospels record the truth yet we must put all 4 together to see the truth!