Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Luke 23:39

Eastern Fathers

Cyril of Alexandria

Now one of the thieves uttered the same revilings as the Jews, but the other tried to check his words, while he confessed his own guilt, adding, We indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

How then do the other Evangelists say (Matt. 27:44; Mark 15:32) that both robbers reviled Jesus? At first, probably, both reviled Him; but then one of them, the more prudent one, recognized the goodness and Divinity of Jesus from the words He spoke on behalf of the crucifiers, saying: "Father, forgive them." For these words are not only filled with perfect love for mankind, but also reveal much of His own authority. …

Commentary on Luke ↗

Western Saints

Ambrose of Milan

But it must also be explained how the others, that is, Matthew and Mark, introduced two thieves reviling, while Luke, one reviling, the other resisting him. Perhaps this other at first reviled, but was suddenly converted. It may also have been spoken of one, but in the plural number; as in the Hebrews, They wandered in goat-skins, and they were sawn asunder; (Heb. 11:37.) whereas Elijah alone is related to have had a goat-skin, and Isaiah to have been sawn asunder. …

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Bede

But one of the criminals hanging there blasphemed him, saying: If you are the Christ, save yourself and us. Some may be troubled by how the other evangelists say that the criminals who were crucified with him reproached him. Indeed, one of them, according to the testimony of Luke, rebuked him, but then looked at him and believed in God. But let us understand that they, briefly covering this matter, used the plural number for the singular. Just as we read in the Epistle to the Hebrews: They shut the mouths of lions (Heb. …

On the Gospel of Luke ↗

Bonaventure

Second, as regards the blasphemy of the thief, he adds: But one of the thieves who were hanging blasphemed him, saying: If you are the Christ, save yourself and us. But the contrary of this seems to be said in Mark 15, where it states: "And those who were crucified with him reviled him"; and similarly in Matthew 27. …

Commentary on Luke, Chapter 23 ↗