The Four Thieves

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The Four Thieves of the Crucifixion
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We are familiar with the two thieves crucified
alongside Christ
However, actually four thieves involved in the
total crucifixion scene
The Lord Himself was treated as if He were a
common criminal
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In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes,
Are ye come out as against a thief with swords
and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you
teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on
me. Matthew 2655
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And there were also two other, malefactors, led
with him to be put to death. 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.
Luke 2332, 33
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We are familiar with the two thieves crucified
alongside Christ
However, actually four thieves involved in the
total crucifixion scene
The Lord Himself was treated as if He were a
common criminal
He had earlier spoken about this
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All that ever came before me are thieves and
robbers but the sheep did not hear them. I am
the door by me if any man enter in, he shall be
saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to
kill, and to destroy I am come that they might
have life, and that they might have it more
abundantly. John 108-10
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Although the Lord was not a thief, there were
four connected with His crucifixion who were
Who were these men, and how are they remembered?
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The Thief Who Regretted
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Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot,
Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not
this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and
given to the poor? This he said, not that he
cared for the poor but because he was a thief,
and had the bag, and bare what was put
therein. John 124-6
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Judas was originally chosen by Jesus- taught and
sent forth
He held a position of trust- treasurer
He observed and had the ability to perform
miracles
He had preached the kingdom of God is at hand
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But, he betrayed the Lord and fell
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Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot,
went unto the chief priests, And said unto them,
What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto
you? And they covenanted with him for thirty
pieces of silver. And from that time he sought
opportunity to betray him. Matthew 2614-16
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And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which
knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of
these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part
of this ministry and apostleship, from which
Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to
his own place. Acts 124, 25
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But, he betrayed the Lord and fell
His betrayal turned to regret
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Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw
that he was condemned, repented himself, and
brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the
chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned
in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And
they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
And he cast down the pieces of silver in the
temple, and departed, and went and hanged
himself. Matthew 273-5
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But, he betrayed the Lord and fell
His betrayal turned to regret
but sadly, not to repentance
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The phrase repented himself means to be sorry
afterward and may lead to repentance, but does
not itself include repentance
Peters sorrow led him back to the Savior
Judass sorrow led him to suicide
He was the thief who regretted
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The Thief Who Was Replaced
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Matthew introduces him to us
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Now at that feast the governor was wont to
release unto the people a prisoner, whom they
would. And they had then a notable prisoner,
called Barabbas. Matthew 2715, 16
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Matthew introduces him to us
John tells us he was a thief and tells us of the
custom to release a prisoner at the Jewish
Passover
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But ye have a custom, that I should release unto
you one at the passover will ye therefore that I
release unto you the King of the Jews? Then cried
they all again, saying, Not this man, but
Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
John 1839, 40
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Matthew introduces him to us
John tells us he was a thief and tells us of the
custom to release a prisoner at the Jewish
Passover
The gathered crowd had a choice to make
Peter later spoke of that choice
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The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob,
the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son
Jesus whom ye delivered up, and denied him in
the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to
let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the
Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto
you And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath
raised from the dead whereof we are witnesses.
Acts 313-15
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Just as He did with Barabbas, Jesus has taken
each of our places
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For even hereunto were ye called because Christ
also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that
ye should follow his steps Who did no sin,
neither was guile found in his mouth Who, when
he was reviled, reviled not again when he
suffered, he threatened not but committed
himself to him that judgeth righteously Who his
own self bare our sins in his own body on the
tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live
unto righteousness by whose stripes ye were
healed. I Peter 221-24
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But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower
than the angels for the suffering of death,
crowned with glory and honour that he by the
grace of God should taste death for every
man. Hebrews 29
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Just as He did with Barabbas, Jesus has taken
each of our places
As a symbol of each of us, Barabbas stands as the
thief who was replaced
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The Thief Who Rebelled
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Then were there two thieves crucified with him,
one on the right hand, and another on the left.
Matthew 2738
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His crucifixion between two thieves fulfilled Old
Testament prophecy
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Therefore will I divide him a portion with the
great, and he shall divide the spoil with the
strong because he hath poured out his soul unto
death and he was numbered with the
transgressors and he bare the sin of many, and
made intercession for the transgressors.
Isaiah 5312
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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.
Mark 1527, 28
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His crucifixion between two thieves fulfilled Old
Testament prophecy
Both thieves mocked Jesus and challenged His
claim to be the Son of God
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Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with
the scribes and elders, said, 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. He trusted in God let him
deliver him now, if he will have him for he
said, I am the Son of God. The thieves also,
which were crucified with him, cast the same in
his teeth. Matthew 2741-44
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His crucifixion between two thieves fulfilled Old
Testament prophecy
Both thieves mocked Jesus and challenged His
claim to be the Son of God
One of them kept on (Gr. imperfect) railing on
Him
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And one of the malefactors which were hanged
railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save
thyself and us. Luke 2339
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What kept this thief impenitent?
What he forgot about
Fearing God
Death was at hand
39
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost
not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same
condemnation? Luke 2340
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What kept this thief impenitent?
What he forgot about
Fearing God
Death was at hand
Justice was being done
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And we indeed justly for we receive the due
reward of our deeds but this man hath done
nothing amiss. Luke 2341
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What kept this thief impenitent?
What he forgot about
What he failed at
Seeing what was most important
Seeking deliverance
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And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but
after this the judgment So Christ was once
offered to bear the sins of many and unto them
that look for him shall he appear the second time
without sin unto salvation. Hebrews
927, 28
44
Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my
saying, he shall never see death.
John 851
45
His crucifixion between two thieves fulfilled Old
Testament prophecy
Both thieves mocked Jesus and challenged His
claim to be the Son of God
One of them kept on (Gr. imperfect) railing on
Him
He is the thief who rebelled
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The Thief Who Repented
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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, To day shalt thou be with me in
paradise. Luke 2340-43
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This thief had a change of heart
In his pain and suffering he turned to the center
cross
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Why Was this thief penitent?
Feared God
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But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost
not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same
condemnation? Luke 2340
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By mercy and truth iniquity is purged and by the
fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
Proverbs 166
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Why Was this thief penitent?
Feared God
Knew death was at hand
Knew sinfulness of his own conduct
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And we indeed justly for we receive the due
reward of our deeds Luke 2341a
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Why Was this thief penitent?
Feared God
Knew death was at hand
Knew sinfulness of his own conduct
Was impressed with Christs innocence
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but this man hath done nothing amiss.
Luke 2341b
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For we have not an high priest which cannot be
touched with the feeling of our infirmities but
was in all points tempted like as we are, yet
without sin. Hebrews 415
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This thief had a change of heart
In his pain and suffering he turned to the center
cross
His regret led him to renewal
He is the thief who repented
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There were four thieves associated with
the crucifixion of Christ
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The Thief Who Regretted
Admitted his wrong, but ended it all without
repentance
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The Thief Who Was Replaced
Have no idea what he did with his new lease on
life
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The Thief Who Rebelled
Ignored his guilt and cursed his way into a
devils hell
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The Thief Who Repented
Admitted his guilt and turned to his only Source
of hope
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(No Transcript)
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-from an outline by Kenneth Chambers- 1995