Luke 23

And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.

And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.

And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.

Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.

And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.

When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.

And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.

And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.

Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.

And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.

And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.

And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:

No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.

I will therefore chastise him, and release him.

(For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)

And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:

(Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)

Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.

But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.

And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.

And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.

And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.

And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.

But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.

For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.

Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.

For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,

And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

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

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

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

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

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.

And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.

And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counseller; and he was a good man, and a just:

(The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.

This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.

And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.

And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.

And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

What does Luke 23:43 mean?

Explanation

Luke 23:43 is a Bible verse found in the New Testament in the Gospel according to Luke.

It records a statement made by Jesus Christ to one of the criminals being crucified alongside Him.

The scene takes place at Golgotha, where Jesus and two criminals are being executed.

Jesus is sandwiched between the criminals, enduring not only the physical pain of crucifixion but also mockery from bystanders and one of the criminals.

The other criminal, however, displays a change of heart and defends Jesus, acknowledging His innocence.

In response to this criminal's plea for Jesus to remember him when Jesus comes into His kingdom, Jesus offers a gracious promise: "Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." This statement is profound as it underscores the themes of forgiveness, salvation, and the immediate afterlife for believers.

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Historical Context

The crucifixion of Jesus took place in the 1st century AD under the authority of the Roman government in Judea.

At that time, crucifixion was a common method of execution for criminals.

The Gospel of Luke, where this verse is recorded, was written with a Gentile audience in mind, and is dated traditionally to around 60-80 AD.

The account of Jesus' crucifixion is a climactic moment in all four canonical Gospels, significant for its theological implications regarding Jesus' sacrifice for humanity’s sins.

Theological Insights

Christian theologians often point to this verse as evidence of Jesus' divine authority to grant salvation.

The emphasis on "today" is seen as significant, suggesting an immediate transition of the repentant sinner into eternal life with Christ.

It also speaks to the concept of grace, as the criminal did nothing to earn his place in paradise; it was gifted by Jesus’ assurance.

Different denominations interpret the meaning of "paradise" differently, some seeing it as heaven, others as a waiting place for the righteous dead until the final resurrection.

Practical Applications

The verse serves as a source of hope and encouragement for believers, emphasizing that it’s never too late to turn to God for forgiveness.

It reassures Christians that repentance can lead to immediate reconciliation with God.

It also challenges believers to show grace to others, mirroring Jesus' forgiveness.

Cross-References

John 14:2: "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you."

Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
2 Corinthians 5:8: "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."

Language Study

The key phrase "To day shalt thou be with me in paradise" contains several words worth examining in the original Greek text:

"Verily" (Ἀμήν, "Amen"): Truly, most assuredly.

A Hebrew word that has been transliterated into Greek, indicating strong affirmation.

"Today" (σήμερον, "sēmeron"): Refers to the current day, indicating immediacy.
"Paradise" (παράδεισος, "paradeisos"): Borrowed from Persian, a word that originally described an enclosed garden, and came to be associated with divine or heavenly realms.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparatively, the concept of paradise as a place of eternal bliss has equivalents in many ancient cultures, like the Elysian Fields in Greek mythology or Valhalla in Norse mythology.

Other religions, like Islam, also have paradisiacal concepts, though the means of entering paradise may differ.

Scientific Perspectives

The discussion of an afterlife in science typically addresses consciousness and what potentially happens after death.

While there's no empirical evidence to substantiate an afterlife experience, some near-death experiences have been documented to share similarities with the idea of paradise detailed in various religious traditions, though these remain subjective reports.

Commentaries

Commentaries on Luke 23:43 come from a variety of theological experts.

Many agree on the verse’s demonstration of Jesus' authority and willingness to forgive.

Some focus on the hope that the promise of Jesus provides, even in one's final moments.

Others debate the implications of the immediacy of entering paradise, considering differing eschatological views.

Perspectives vary among different Christian traditions, from Roman Catholic to Protestant interpretations, but the promise of paradise is generally seen as central to the message of the Gospel.

Luke 23

Luke 23

What does Luke 23:43 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 23:43 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?