Q: This is a small question, but I find many like it in the Bible. There is a discrepancy between the Gospel accounts of Mathew and Luke. Mathew states that both thieves that were being crucified with Jesus mocked him. Luke says that one of them defended Jesus and asked him to remember him. What is the truth about this as the Church sees it? — Thomas

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC:

First, it’s worth noting that the Church issues few “official” teachings about biblical passages.

Scripture is deep, and many passages are open to a range of interpretations (within limits, of course).

As for the two thieves crucified on Calvary, the simple answer could be this:

Both thieves mocked Jesus when they were first nailed to their crosses.

But over the next few hours, one thief saw the goodness in Jesus and came to believe in him.

Hence, Matthew recorded the thieves’ reaction early in the crucifixion, while Luke recorded their reactions a few hours later.

So, what first seems like a discrepancy turns out not to be a contradiction.