Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 53:211 (Jul 1896)
Article: The Penitent Thief
Author: John Bouton Lawrence

BSac 53:211 (July 1896) p. 574

The Penitent Thief

J. Bouton Lawrence

Claremont, N. H.

[Mr. Barton’s theory concerning the penitent thief1 is not satisfactory to all our correspondents. We give place to the essential features of a single rejoinder of special value.—EDS.]

1. An important indication of the penitent thief’s character is given by Luke (23:32, 33, 39), in the use of the word “malefactor “(κακοῦργος), which means a plain, unlimited evil-doer. Three times does this historian employ this word in writing of both men who were crucified with Christ; but nowhere else in the New Testament is it to be found, except in Second Timothy. The nature of the evil-doing is not determined by the word, nor in the present use of this author. If any inference is made, we must make it, for Luke is attempting no argument on the character of these “malefactors.”

2. A second hint as to the character of this man is given by Matthew in the use of the word “robber,” “two robbers (λῃσταί) are crucified with him.” These are the same men that Luke termed evil-doers; now they are robbers (Matt, 27:38). So, also, in Mark (15:27).

The character of a robber we must infer from the usage of the word, which, although not frequent, occurs several times in the Gospels, and once in a Pauline epistle.

3. Again, according to Matthew (21:13), Jesus addresses the traders in the Temple, with words of Jeremiah: “Ye make it a den of robbers”; and to those who come into Gethsemane to take him, he says: “Are ye come out as against a robber with swords and staves? “(26:55), while in the very next chapter (27:38) he relates, “Then are there crucified with him two robbers “Certainly the phrase, “a den of robbers” is very malodorous. The “den “(σπήλαιον) is the favorite abode of a class of people who fear the light.

4. The habits and reputation of the robber are evil. The chief-priest’s servant and his band armed themselves with swords and staves, exactly as if going out in search of a robber, when they went to find Jesus of Nazareth. They went as if to encounter a man whose reputation had made him the terror of ...