Luke 23:42 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

NIV: Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. "

NASB: And he was saying, 'Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!'

CSB: Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

NLT: Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.'

KJV: And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

NKJV: Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

Much of Jesus' ministry as recorded by Luke is about telling people that the kingdom of God is near. This is the message the disciples were to preach as they traveled and performed corroborating miracles of healing and demon exorcisms (Luke 9:1–6; 10:1–11). And they are to continue after Jesus ascends into heaven (Luke 22:35–38).

Jesus is the Christ, the descendent of David. He will sit on the throne of Jerusalem and rule the Jews as king. He is the fulfillment of God's covenant with David to establish a "house," or dynasty, which will provide rest from enemies and an eternal throne (2 Samuel 7). This claim is what the religious leaders used to convince Pilate to crucify Jesus; a "king" is a threat to Caesar (John 19:12–16). Now, they, passersby, the soldiers, and the men crucified alongside Him mock Jesus that He claims to be the Son of God and the King of the Jews but cannot save Himself (Luke 23:35–36; Matthew 27:39–44).

But one thief hanging on the cross next to Jesus realizes this doesn't add up. He and his partner are guilty and deserve their punishment. Jesus is innocent. The crucifixion of Jesus and the insults are a mockery of the justice of God. And yet Jesus just hangs there, forgiving the priests who disparage Him and the soldiers who nailed Him to the cross (Luke 23:33–38).

If they're wrong about His guilt, they may be wrong about who He is, as well. The thief realizes: this is "the Christ of God, his Chosen One" (Luke 23:35). And if that's the case, His present situation is confusing, but it isn't permanent. He will be king. God will see to it.

The thief does the only thing he can: have faith in the man on the cross next to his. He's guilty, but Jesus is King. If Jesus can move from the cross to a throne, there's no reason the thief shouldn't ask for a royal pardon.

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.