Luke adds a poignant detail to his description of Jesus’ journey to the cross; with him march two criminals. Jesus, who had been described by his opponents as a “friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Lk 7:34), would not only live with such friends but die with them. 

³² Now two others, both criminals, were led away with him to be executed. ³³ When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. ³⁴ (Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”) They divided his garments by casting lots. ³⁵ The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Messiah of God.” ³⁶ Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine ³⁷ they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” ³⁸ Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.”