Luke 23:41 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."

NIV: We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

NASB: And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our crimes; but this man has done nothing wrong.'

CSB: We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong."

NLT: We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.'

KJV: And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

NKJV: And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”

The thief is fastened to a cross; between him and another crucified criminal is Jesus. The two men's crimes are undefined, but they may include some form of insurrection. One thief is ridiculing Jesus, telling Him to save Himself and them as well. The repentant thief has another point of view. He fears God and knows that they deserve this punishment. But Jesus is innocent. Jesus doesn't deserve to die on a cross, and He certainly doesn't deserve to be mocked by a criminal (Luke 23:39–40).

The difference between the two men seems to be that the repentant thief accepts who and what God is, and what he himself is. He understands that God is sovereign over the world and demands justice for sins. For the two criminals, crucifixion is just. But Jesus is innocent, and for a criminal to mock an innocent man is hypocritical and unfair before God.

This is the thief's confession. He admits he is guilty and deserves punishment. He admits that God is a just God. But he takes it a step further. He says, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Luke 23:42). He declares his belief that Jesus is the Christ. Jesus is King. Whatever is going on now, however hopeless it looks, Jesus will have a kingdom and He has authority to decide who will join Him.

The repentant thief is the third witness to verify that Jesus is innocent after Pilate and Herod Antipas. But he's the only one who then submits to Jesus as his Lord. Undoubtedly, Pilate and Antipas know they have sinned against God, as well, but they don't do anything about it. Unlike the thief, they think they have too much to lose.

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.