Eyewitness Testimonies of the Gospels
“Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.” Mark 15:32
The gospels recount that Jesus was crucified with two criminals, one on either side. That these criminals were sentenced to be crucified meant that their crimes must have been particularly bad, since crucifixion was a punishment reserved for the worst of criminals. A question with which the gospel accounts leave us, however, is whether one or both of the criminals reviled Jesus.
The Gospels of Matthew and Mark say that not only did the religious leaders and passersby revile Jesus, but the criminals who were crucified with Jesus did too. The gospels report this as an aspect of the mocking of Jesus that was part of his humiliation on the cross. All his enemies took the opportunity to mock and reproach him. To make things worse, even those who were dying with him did the same.
The Gospel of Luke, however, tells the account slightly differently (Luke 23:39-43). He reports that while one of the criminals reviled Jesus, the other rebuked him: “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same condemnation?” Then he said to Jesus, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus gave him the assurance that “today you will be with me in paradise.”
Theologians have wrestled with the question of whether or not both criminals initially reviled Jesus. It is possible that both reviled him at first. The one repented, however, when he saw the noble and godly way Jesus acted on the cross, forgiving those who were crucifying and mocking him. It is also possible that Matthew and Mark simply summarized the account of the thieves because they thought there were more important aspects of the story on which to focus. It was easier to summarize than to take the time to give the specific details.
It is also possible that each gospel writer told the story as they understood it. As far as we know, neither Matthew nor Mark were at the cross during the crucifixion. Matthew had fled along with the other disciples. Mark got most of his gospel information from Peter, who had also fled. Who were the people present at the foot of the cross? Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, John the disciple, and at least one other woman.
It is Luke who tells the account of the one thief who defended Jesus. From whom could he have learned this story since he was also not present? Perhaps from Mary herself, or someone who knew her well, in the same way he learned the stories about the appearance of the angel Gabriel to her. In this sense, Luke’s account may have more eyewitness credibility than either Matthew or Mark. It is interesting that the Gospel of John gives us information about what happened at the cross that is not found in the other gospels. This may be because John was also there to experience certain things the other disciples did not.
There are many ways that the gospels reveal to us that they contain eyewitness testimony. Every writer may not have been an eyewitness to every part of the life of Jesus. Together, however, they give us a reliable, inspired, and trustworthy account of his life and ministry. They tell us the great story of God’s redemption of humanity through Jesus Christ.