Luke 23:39 - Printer Friendly

ESV: One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

NIV: One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!"

NASB: One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, 'Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!'

CSB: Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at him: "Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!"

NLT: One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, 'So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself — and us, too, while you’re at it!'

KJV: And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

NKJV: Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”

Luke mentioned two criminals during the march to the cross, and then turned his focus to Jesus (Luke 23:32). Luke returns to the two thieves. They fulfill Jesus' prophecy that He would be "numbered with the transgressors" (Luke 22:37), a sign of the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53:12). They're also a kind of foil for James and John who asked, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory" (Mark 10:37).

Matthew says, "the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way" (Matthew 27:44) as the crowd and Jewish leaders standing nearby. Mark agrees (Mark 15:32). It seems that one of the thieves changes his mind while the other carries on. The latter hears the rulers laughing at Jesus' claims to save others (Luke 23:35). But the thief adds a twist: why not save him, too?

In truth, Jesus has already saved one criminal this day. By refusing to defend Himself against legal charges to Pilate, Jesus set the stage for the Jewish leaders to demand Pilate release Barabbas, an insurrectionist and murderer (Luke 23:18–25). The Greek wording indicates the robber is completely sarcastic. He doesn't believe Jesus is the Christ. He doesn't believe Jesus can save Himself or anyone else. The thief is dying a horrible, painful death and strikes out without knowing what he is saying.

That doesn't excuse him, however. The second thief is in just as much pain and has just as little proof that Jesus is the Christ. But He does believe Jesus is innocent and, despite his crimes, he fears God. Unlike his counterpart, he takes a leap of faith. He knows he will die, but he asks Jesus for life, anyway (Luke 23:40–43).

Luke 23:32–43 gives a living illustration of the gospel. Jewish rulers, soldiers, and one of the crucified thieves mock Jesus. He forgives them. The other thief takes advantage of Jesus' offer and asks Jesus to remember him in His kingdom; Jesus promises He will. Matthew 27:33–44, Mark 15:22–32, and John 19:17–24 give similar accounts with other details. John also describes how Jesus gives John, the son of Zebedee, responsibility for Mary (John 19:25–27).

Luke 23 records the remaining trials, death, and burial of Jesus Christ. He is examined by the Roman governor and the local appointed King, neither of whom are interested in passing a death sentence. Local religious leaders incite the crowd, pressuring the governor, Pilate, to authorize crucifixion. Jesus accepts the faith of another condemned man and dies. Joseph of Arimathea asks for Jesus body and buries it in a tomb cut from rock.

Luke 23 records Jesus' civil trials, crucifixion, and burial. The members of the Sanhedrin have put Jesus through three trials in their attempt to convince Pilate He's a threat (Luke 22:47–71). Their case is weak, but their political influence is powerful enough to force Pilate's hand. Jesus is executed. Three days after Joseph of Arimathea buries Jesus, Jesus reappears on the road to Emmaus where He explains Messianic prophecies in Jewish Scriptures. After spending time with His followers, Jesus ascends into heaven (Luke 24) and the disciples build the church (Acts).

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.