55. Is there any way of reconciling an apparent discrepancy at the crucifixion, Matthew and Mark speak of both thieves reviling Christ, while Luke speaks of one thief reproving the other for doing it?

Augustine and others who have dealt with the subject (for the diffi­culty was considered centuries ago) contend that the penitent thief did not revile Christ.

They think that Matthew and Mark were in the habit of using the plural form of a word where the singular was the correct form, and they refer to other instances of the habit. Matt. 26:8; Mark 14:4 compared with John 12:4 is one of them.

On the other hand, it may have been that both thieves reviled Christ, but the spectacle of magnanimity and patient suffering so affected one of them, as he drew near death, as to produce a penitent frame of mind.

We may infer also, from the form in which he presented his petition, that he must have pre­viously had some instruction either from Christ or his disciples, which had remained in his memory without, until his dying hour, affecting his heart or life.