Luke 23:40 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?

NIV: But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don’t you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?

NASB: But the other responded, and rebuking him, said, 'Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?

CSB: But the other answered, rebuking him: "Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment?

NLT: But the other criminal protested, 'Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die?

KJV: But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

NKJV: But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?

Jesus is crucified with two thieves, one on either side of Him. Apparently, they both began the experience by heckling Him, taking their cues from the people, leaders, and soldiers who mock Jesus (Mark 15:29–32). One thief continues (Luke 23:39).

The other thief reconsiders. He starts with a realization: God is to be feared. Whatever choices brought them to commit the crimes they did no longer matter. Whatever abuses the Romans have committed against the Jews no longer matter. God is God and His authority and power are to be respected. He then applies that truth to their situation: he and the other thief deserve what they are experiencing. We don't know what they did, but it must have been serious (Luke 23:41).

Next, he sees the difference in Jesus' situation: He is innocent (Luke 23:41). He has done nothing wrong to deserve crucifixion. If God is to be feared and they deserve to be crucified, how could they ridicule an innocent man receiving the same punishment? It is a mockery of God's justice and authority.

The first thief cries out, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!" (Luke 23:39). The second thief understands they don't deserve to be saved. And if the first thief is wrong about that, maybe he's wrong about the first part, too. Maybe this is the Christ!

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.