Charles Spurgeon 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)

As if to show that they regarded Christ as the worst of the three criminals, they put Him between the two thieves, giving Him the place of dishonor. Thus was the prophecy fulfilled, He was numbered with the transgressors. The two malefactors deserved to die, as one of them admitted (Luke 23:40–41), but a greater load of guilt rested upon Christ, for He bare the sin of many, and therefore He was rightly distinguished as the King of sufferers, who could truly ask—

“Was ever grief like Mine?”

Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

As if to show that they regarded Christ as the worst of the three criminals, they put him between the two thieves, giving him the place of dishonour. Thus the prophecy was fulfilled, He was numbered with the transgressors. The two malefactors deserved to die, as one of them admitted (Luke 23:40–41); but a greater load of guilt rested upon Christ, for he bare the sin of many, and, therefore, he was rightly distinguished as the King of sufferers, who could truly ask: Was ever grief like mine?