Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 27:38

"Then are there crucified with him two robbers, one on the right hand and one on the left." — Matthew 27:38 (ASV)

Then two thieves were crucified with him—better, robbers, as the word is the same as that used for Barabbas (John 18:40). Since there is no record of their trial, it seems they were already under a sentence of death. It is also probable that they were members of the same band and had been sharers in the same insurrection. The legends of the apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus (1.10) give their names as Dysmas and Gysmas, and these names still appear in the Calvaries and Stations of Roman Catholic countries.