“Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?”
Matthew 20:15

Look at what this man did:
“One of the criminals hanging there began to shout insults at Jesus: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Then save yourself, and save us too!”” Luke 23:39, ERV
On the cross, As if the mockery Jesus endured from his detractors below the cross (Luke 23:35-37) wasn’t enough, he was adding to it.
The repugnance of his action was even more pronounced considering the other criminal rebuked him and behaved differently toward Jesus.
And yet, Jesus didn’t threaten him, he just kept quiet and took it all in (1 Peter 2:23)! Few moments later, the events that would happen would make clear to the Centurion and the bystanders that the man- Jesus- on the cross was not ordinary (Luke 23:47-48) and because the two criminals outlived him, they would have possibly come to the same conclusion: John 19:32-33.
If the loud mouthed criminal- seeing what happened and now repenting- turned to Jesus, he would have been saved: Hebrews 7:25.
Jesus’ silence indicated a willingness to not condemn the man because he could have said something to seal his fate eternally, but he didn’t. There is much to ponder on concerning the gracious example Jesus has set for us.

Bible Reading Plan: Psalms 127, 1 Kings 8