THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THREE MEN, Part I - Luke 23:33-37

The Saddness of Two Men Dying - 23:33 ...Calvary (kranion - denotes "a skull" (Latin calvaria), Aramaic Golgotha (Heb. gulgoleth)

malefactors - kakourgouV - an adjective, lit., "evil-working" (kakoV, "evil," ergon, "work"), is used as a noun, translated "malefactor(s)"

Matt. 27:38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

Mark 15:27-28 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.

The Greatness of What One Man Did - 23:34 Father, forgive them - These simple, yet expressive words, are the basis for the work of Christ.

Father - Jesus spoke directly to the Father, to ask forgiveness for those who were showing their ignorant wickedness. John 14:6 explains this important truth. No man receives forgiveness from God the Father, unless they approach Him through the blood and righteousness of Christ. Forgiving is part of the great act of mercy which the Father demonstrates through the work of Christ. King David said, (Psalm 130:4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared).

Forgive - afeV - Aor Act Imp (an absolute command requiring full obedience on the part of all hearers)- send away or depart, send forth, yield up, to expire or forgive a debt owed, to depart leaving someone to himself so that all claims are abandoned, leave someone by not taking them as a companion.

Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

Acts 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Eph. 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Col. 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:


The whys of forgiveness! - For they know not what they do

*Men acted out the necessary events that were unfolding, but without understanding.

Acts 3:17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.

Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

Eph. 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

*They were bound by duty, by hatred and fear, by prophecy, by uncontrollable events, by God’s timing. “In due time Christ died for the ungodly”

*They were part of a great plan which included the death of the Son of God, and the redemption of the world. They were part of something so immense that it was impossible to fully comprehend its magnitude.

*They were the objects of Christ’s forgiveness, but did not realize that forgiveness.

The Hatred Of The World For All Three Men - 23:35-37
23:35 beholding - be a spectator: view attentively, survey, view mentally, consider, perceive

derided him - "to hold up the nose in derision at": is translated "scoffed at"

By saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God, certain apparent truths may be drawn:

He saved others - They had apparent knowledge of some of His actions and ministry

Let Him save Himself - They had apparent knowledge of Old Testament prophecy

If He be the Christ - They had apparent knowledge of a coming Messiah

The chosen of God - They had apparent knowledge of His particular teaching

It is for this reason, that I believe that these Jews had been some of the same Jews who followed Jesus around during His ministry. They observed His life, actions and ministry, but refused to believe His teaching. They made an active choice to ignore truth and hate the Son of God. Notice also, that they did not mock the 2 thieves, which were crucified with Jesus. Why?

*Humanism requires philosophically that sin be part of our lives
*Humanism requires an acceptance of sin as a way of life
*Humanism requires that sin be overlooked because we would be condemning ourselves also.
*Humanism requires that others feel the same way and is based on emotion, not truth. 23:36-37
*Humanism requires not caring what happens to others: they did not even acknowledge the two thieves.