Luke 23:39 (WEB)
One of the criminals who was hanged insulted him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!”
As quoted in the map (KJV)
Luke 23:39–43 (KJV)
39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Key words
- κακοῦργοιkakourgoi · Greek
- 'malefactors' (23:32) — two condemned men crucified with Jesus, as two condemned officials were imprisoned with Joseph.
- μνήσθητί μουmnēsthēti mou · Greek
- 'remember me' (v. 42) — the butler forgot Joseph (Genesis 40:23); this criminal asks to be remembered and is.
- σήμερον μετ᾽ ἐμοῦ ἔσῃ ἐν τῷ παραδείσῳsēmeron met' emou esē en tō paradeisō · Greek
- 'To day shalt thou be with me in paradise' — everlasting life for the one, as bodily life for the pardoned butler.
Why it matters
Of the two criminals crucified with Jesus, one is forgiven and promised paradise. Pitre's chart sets this beside Joseph in prison with the butler and the baker, one of whom is restored to life (p 140). The pattern — the innocent sufferer between two condemned men, one of whom is saved — is one more sign that Joseph prefigures Jesus.
Catechism · 2
In the Fullness of Time
“Prayer to Jesus is answered by him already during his ministry, through signs that anticipate the power of his death and Resurrection: Jesus hears the prayer of faith, expressed in words (the leper, Jairus, the Canaanite woman, the good thief)” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mk 1:40-41; 5:36; 7:29; Cf. Lk 23:39-43.
"And in Jesus Christ, His Only Son, Our Lord"
“Hence the true meaning of his kingship is revealed only when he is raised high on the cross.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Jn 19:19-22; Lk 23:39-43.
Fathers and councils · 17
Augustine of Hippo
“To this we must add, that sometimes those also who are beneath the scourge of temporal unhappiness, mock us…Did not the robber mock, who was crucified with our crucified Lord?” — editor's note: Luke xxiii. 39.
Read the whole comment“For Luke’s narrative runs thus: “And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on Him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.”” — editor's note: Luke xxiii. 39.
Read the whole comment“…they say of the malefactors who were crucified with our Lord; for both he who got pardon, got it after he was crucified, and the other did not get it at all?” — editor's note: Luke xxiii. 33–43.
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Tertullian
“For even in His very passion He set the robber free.” — editor's note: Luke xxiii. 39–43.
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Catena Aurea on Luke
- Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Luke
Observe a second time the device of the devil turned against himself. For in letters of three different characters he published the accusation of Jesus, that in truth it might not escape one of the passers by, that…
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
And rightly is the title placed above the cross, because Christ’s kingdom is not of the human body, but of the power of God. I read the title of the King of the Jews, when I read, My kingdom is not of this world.…
Read the whole comment - Cyril of AlexandriaCatena Aurea on Luke
Now one of the thieves uttered the same revilings as the Jews, but the other tried to check his words, while he confessed his own guilt, adding, We indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
Here the condemned performs the office of judge, and he begins to decide concerning truth who before Pilate confessed his crime only after many tortures. For the judgment of man from whom secret things are hid is of…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Luke
On the cross nails had fastened his hands and feet, and nothing remained free from torture, but his heart and tongue. By the inspiration of God, the thief offered to Him the whole which he found free, that as it is…
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
A most remarkable example is here given of seeking after conversion, seeing that pardon is so speedily granted to the thief. The Lord quickly pardons, because the thief is quickly converted. And grace is more…
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Luke
And as every king who returns victorious carries in triumph the best of his spoils, so the Lord having despoiled the devil of a portion of his plunder, carries it with Him into Paradise.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
Here then might one see the Saviour between the thieves weighing in the scales of justice faith, and unbelief. The devil cast Adam out of Paradise. Christ brought the thief into Paradise before the whole world,…
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Luke
This however is more true than all, that although they have not obtained all the promises, I mean, the thief and the other saints in order that without us they might not be made perfect, (Heb. 11:40.) they are…
Read the whole comment - Gregory of NyssaCatena Aurea on Luke
Here again, we must examine how the thief should be thought worthy of Paradise, seeing that a flaming sword prevents the entrance of the saints. But observe that the word of God describes it as turning about, so as…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Luke
Or that flaming sword is said to be turning, because that He knew the time would come when it must be removed; when He in truth should come, who by the mystery of His incarnation was to open to us the way of Paradise.
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
But it must also be explained how the others, that is, Matthew and Mark, introduced two thieves reviling, while Luke, one reviling, the other resisting him. Perhaps this other at first reviled, but was suddenly…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on Luke
For as many of us as were baptized in Christ Jesus, were baptized in His death; but we are washed by baptism, seeing we were sinners. But some, in that they praise God suffering in the flesh, are crowned; others, in…
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Cross-references · 16
Cited together in Harmony of the Gospels III.17.
Cited together in Harmony of the Gospels III.17.
Cited together in Ambrose of Milan on Luke 23:38–43 (3) (Catena Aurea) and 1 other place.
Cited together in Expositions on the Psalms Psalm 123.
Cited together in Expositions on the Psalms Psalm 123.
Cited together in Catechism §2616.
Cited together in Harmony of the Gospels III.17.
Cited together in Catechism §2616.
Cited together in Catechism §2616.
Cited together in Catechism §2616.
Cited together in Catechism §2616.
Cited together in Catechism §2616.
Cited together in Catechism §2616.
Cited together in Harmony of the Gospels III.17.
Cited together in Catechism §2616.
Cited together in Catechism §2616.