What Does Luke 23:39-42 Mean?
Luke 23:39-42 describes two criminals crucified beside Jesus; one mocks Him, but the other defends Jesus and asks Him to remember him when He comes into His kingdom. Jesus responds with a promise of grace: 'Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise' (Luke 23:43). This moment shows that salvation is not earned by good works, but received by faith in Jesus, even at the last breath.
Luke 23:39-42
And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
Key Facts
Book
Author
Luke
Genre
Gospel
Date
Approximately 80-90 AD
Key People
- Jesus
- The repentant thief
- The mocking thief
Key Themes
- Salvation by grace through faith
- Jesus as the merciful King
- Paradise offered in the final moment of life
Key Takeaways
- Faith in Jesus, even at the end, brings immediate salvation.
- Jesus offers paradise not by works, but by grace alone.
- No one is too far gone for God’s mercy.
Two Criminals, Two Responses
Jesus is crucified between two criminals at a place called The Skull, as Luke 23:33 describes: 'And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.'
One of the criminals joins the crowd in mocking Jesus, demanding He save Himself and them if He is truly the Messiah. The other criminal, however, rebukes him, acknowledging their guilt and declaring that Jesus has done nothing wrong.
Then, turning to Jesus, he says, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' Jesus responds with a promise full of grace: 'Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.'
The Thief’s Faith and the Promise of Paradise
In the midst of agony and mockery, one dying criminal sees beyond the blood and shame to the truth: Jesus is King, even on a cross.
This man breaks all social expectations - criminals were seen as cursed, beyond repentance, and certainly not welcome in God’s presence - yet he calls Jesus by name, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom,' a plea that echoes ancient promises of a coming Messiah. The word 'remember' isn’t just a request for a favor. In Jewish culture, it meant 'act on my behalf,' like God remembering Noah in the flood or Abraham when sparing Sodom. He’s asking Jesus to step into divine authority and save him. The other Gospels mention the mocking of both criminals (Matthew 27:44; Mark 15:32), but only Luke records this moment of faith, highlighting Jesus’ mercy even in judgment. This detail makes Luke’s account unique - showing that salvation is never out of reach, no matter how late.
Jesus’ response - 'Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise' - is staggering. 'Truly' (amen in Greek) is a word Jesus uses to mark divine certainty, something only God can speak with final authority. 'Today,' not after purification or waiting, but immediately, shows grace is not earned by time or effort. 'Paradise' was a term Jews used for the garden of God, the place of rest and blessing reserved for the righteous - yet here it’s offered to a man who did no good works, only a cry of faith.
Today you will be with me in paradise - salvation offered in the final breath, not because of what the man did, but because of who Jesus is.
This moment reveals that Jesus does more than point to God’s kingdom - He holds its keys, forgives sins, and grants paradise as a King. His cross becomes the doorway, not a barrier, to eternal life.
Remember Me When You Come Into Your Kingdom
The thief’s plea - 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom' - rings with hope in the midst of despair, revealing faith where no one else saw it.
In Jewish thought, 'remembering' wasn’t just mental recall - it meant acting with mercy, like God remembering Noah and sparing him from the flood. The thief, though crucified for his crimes, recognizes Jesus as the promised King who will one day rule in God’s kingdom, an expectation rooted in passages like Jeremiah 23:5, which says, 'I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely.' Even nailed to a cross, Jesus is seen by this man not as a failed rebel, but as the Messiah who still holds authority over life and eternity.
This moment, recorded only by Luke, fits his Gospel’s theme: Jesus came for sinners, outcasts, and the hopeless - offering forgiveness and belonging to all who call on Him in faith.
Luke’s Unique Witness and the Promise of Paradise
While Matthew and Mark note that both criminals mocked Jesus (Matthew 27:44; Mark 15:32), only Luke records the thief’s repentance and Jesus’ promise - highlighting Luke’s focus on mercy and the unexpected reach of salvation.
This moment gains deeper meaning when we see how it connects to the rest of Scripture. Revelation 2:7 promises, 'To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God,' showing that the paradise Jesus offers is a real, future place prepared for those who turn to Him in faith, even at the last moment.
This story isn’t only about one man’s last‑minute rescue; it previews the final hope for all who trust in Jesus, no matter their past.
Application
How This Changes Everything: Real Life Impact
I once met a woman who carried decades of regret - mistakes that cost relationships, years lost to poor choices, and a deep belief that she was beyond forgiveness. She felt like the thief on the cross: too far gone, too stained by the past. But when she heard this story from Luke, something shifted. She realized that Jesus didn’t wait for the thief to clean up, to earn his way, or even to live a better life - He simply welcomed him. That same grace met her. She didn’t need to fix herself first. She only needed to turn to Jesus and say, 'Remember me.' And He did. That’s the power of this moment: it meets us not when we’re perfect, but when we’re broken, and it says, 'You’re not too late.'
Personal Reflection
- Is there a part of your past you believe disqualifies you from God’s grace? How does Jesus’ promise to the thief challenge that belief?
- When you think of God’s kingdom, do you see yourself in it? Why or why not?
- What would it look like for you to 'remember' Jesus today - not just as a memory, but as a cry for mercy and connection, like the thief did?
A Challenge For You
This week, when guilt or shame whispers that you’re not good enough, pause and speak aloud the words of the thief: 'Jesus, remember me.' Let it be your simple prayer of trust. And if you struggle to believe you’re welcome in God’s presence, read Luke 23:39-43 every morning and remind yourself: Jesus opened paradise to a man in his final breath - He’s not waiting for you to be perfect, just present.
A Prayer of Response
Jesus, I come to You as I am - no excuses, no achievements to offer. Like the thief, I know I don’t deserve Your mercy, but I’m asking You to remember me. Thank You for opening paradise not because of what I’ve done, but because of who You are. Meet me today as You met him, and let me hear Your voice saying, 'You are with Me.'
Related Scriptures & Concepts
Immediate Context
Luke 23:33
Describes Jesus being crucified between two criminals, setting the scene for the conversation in verses 39 - 42.
Luke 23:44-46
Continues the narrative with Jesus’ death and final cry, showing the fulfillment of His mission moments after the promise of paradise.
Connections Across Scripture
Isaiah 53:5
Foretells that the Messiah would be pierced for transgressions, connecting to Jesus’ suffering and saving work on the cross.
Acts 16:31
Reinforces the call to believe in the Lord Jesus for salvation, echoing the thief’s simple act of faith.
Romans 10:9
Teaches that confessing Jesus as Lord leads to salvation, mirroring the thief’s confession from the cross.