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 23:33KJVWhat does Luke 23:33 mean?
Luke 23:33 describes the moment when Jesus is brought to the place called Calvary, where he is crucified alongside two criminals, one on each side of him. This verse marks the beginning of the crucifixion, showing Jesus positioned between two others who were also being executed.
In this scene, Luke is narrating the events of Jesus’ crucifixion to his readers. The place called Calvary (from the Latin for “skull”) is the site just outside Jerusalem where Roman executions took place. The verse emphasizes not only Jesus’ suffering but also his identification with criminals, highlighting the humiliation and injustice of his death.
The Greek behind Luke 23:33
- The word “Calvary” comes from the Greek Κρανίον (kranion), meaning “skull.” This matches the Aramaic name “Golgotha” found in other Gospels, both referring to the same execution site.
- The word for “malefactors” is κακοῦργοι (kakourgoi), meaning “evildoers” or “criminals.” This word shows that those crucified with Jesus were not ordinary people but were considered serious offenders by the authorities.
- The phrase “on the right hand, and the other on the left” uses δεξιός (dexios, right) and ἀριστερός (aristeros, left), making clear the physical arrangement, with Jesus in the center.
Why Luke 23:33 matters
- Luke 23:33 clarifies that Jesus was executed as a criminal among criminals, which fulfills earlier hints in Luke that he would be “numbered with the transgressors.”
- The detail about the location, Calvary, connects this moment to other Gospel accounts and to the historical reality of Roman crucifixion practices.
- By mentioning the two criminals, Luke sets up the following conversation between Jesus and the two men, which is unique to Luke’s account and highlights themes of forgiveness and salvation.