ISB ~ John 19 v18

one on either side:The four Gospels agree that Jesus was crucified between two criminals (Mt 27:38; Mk 15:27; Lk 23:33).

• John’s description is similar to that in the Greek version of Ex 17:12, where Moses’ arms were suspended in the air by Aaron and Hur as they stood on either side of him. This was to ensure for Israel a military victory over the Amalekites. Jesus’ arms are similarly stretched out between two men as he triumphs over the unseen armies of the devil (Col 2:14-15).