Luke 23 41

Luke 23:41 kjv

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

Luke 23:41 nkjv

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

Luke 23:41 niv

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

Luke 23:41 esv

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

Luke 23:41 nlt

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

Luke 23 verses

Luke 23 41 Meaning

Luke 23:41 records the repentant thief's profound confession on the cross. It states his complete acknowledgment of his own guilt, accepting that their suffering is a just consequence for their actions. In stark contrast, he boldly declares the absolute innocence of Jesus, recognizing that Jesus has committed no wrongdoing to merit crucifixion. This declaration highlights the thief's spiritual insight, contrasting divine justice for humanity's sin with the unparalleled righteousness and unjust suffering of Christ.

Luke 23 41 Context

Luke 23:41 occurs during the climax of Jesus' public ministry—His crucifixion. Pilate, finding no guilt, reluctantly condemned Jesus to satisfy the demands of the crowd. Jesus was led to Golgotha, where He was crucified between two criminals, a common practice for Roman executions of non-citizens, particularly brigands or rebels. Before this verse, both thieves were described as reviling Jesus (Mt 27:44, Mk 15:32). However, Luke uniquely presents a change of heart in one thief. Immediately preceding verse 41, this repentant thief rebukes the other, asking if he, even while dying, did not fear God (Lk 23:40). Verse 41 serves as the profound continuation of this repentance, leading directly into his plea for remembrance in Jesus' kingdom and Jesus' assurance of paradise. This stark contrast between the two thieves highlights humanity's two responses to Christ on the cross: defiant rejection or humbled faith.

Luke 23 41 Word analysis

• And we indeed justly;

  • And (kai, G2532): Simple conjunction, but here it marks the continuation and expansion of the repentant thief's thought from Lk 23:40, signifying an additional, crucial point.
  • we indeed (hēmeis men, G2249 G3303): "We ourselves, truly." Emphasizes self-identification and personal responsibility. "Men" (indeed, truly) serves to stress and confirm the assertion.
  • justly (dikaiōs, G1346): From dikaios (righteous, just). Here, it functions as an adverb, meaning "rightly," "equitably," "deservingly." The thief is acknowledging the inherent fairness and righteousness of their punishment. This goes beyond mere admission of committing an act; it's an acceptance of the justice of the consequences. He sees the punishment not as arbitrary, but as proportional to his guilt.

• for we receive the due reward of our deeds:

  • for (gar, G1063): Explanatory conjunction, giving the reason for the "justly" assessment.
  • we receive (apolambanomen, G618): Present tense, active voice, indicative mood. Means "we receive back," "we obtain," "we get what is due to us." It implies receiving what is owed or corresponds to an action, often with a negative connotation (retribution). It highlights the immediate and ongoing reality of their recompense.
  • the due reward (axia, G516): "Worth, value, deserving, fit." It emphasizes the inherent correspondence between their actions and the punishment. Not merely 'a' reward, but the 'fitting' or 'deserved' reward.
  • of our deeds (hōn epraksamen, G3739 G4238): Literally "which things we did/practiced." "Epraksamen" is from prassō (to do, to practice, to perform habitual or deliberate actions). This indicates that their punishment is not for an isolated mistake, but for their consistent, deliberate actions. It signifies the character of their lives as wrongdoers.

• but this man (houtos de, G3778 G1161):

  • but (de, G1161): A strong contrastive conjunction, signaling a complete shift in subject and judgment from themselves to Jesus.
  • this man (houtos, G3778): Points directly to Jesus, setting Him apart. The thief, through a clear-eyed discernment, distinguishes Jesus from himself and his companion.

• hath done nothing amiss.

  • hath done (epraxen, G4238): Aorist tense of prassō, indicating a completed action in the past—or, in this negative formulation, the absence of any wrongdoing.
  • nothing (ouden, G3762): A strong negative, emphatically asserting a complete lack of any wrongdoing.
  • amiss (atopon, G824): Meaning "out of place," "improper," "absurd," "unjust," "wicked," "wrong." This single word encapsulates Jesus' blamelessness. The thief's insight here is profound, directly contradicting the charges of blasphemy, sedition, and kingly claims made against Jesus. It acknowledges that Jesus' crucifixion is utterly unjust and undeserved from a moral or divine perspective.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds": This powerful confession demonstrates true repentance. The thief not only admits culpability but understands and accepts the just nature of the consequence for his praxeis (deeds, life practices). This shows a recognition of moral accountability, a deep theological truth regarding sin and divine justice or consequences, which resonates with Old Testament concepts of covenant blessings and curses, and New Testament teachings on sowing and reaping. It is an unreserved acknowledgment of personal culpability before God's ultimate standard.

• "but this man hath done nothing amiss.": This statement is pivotal. It is a spontaneous declaration of Christ's perfect innocence and purity from the lips of a dying criminal. Amidst the jeers and false accusations, this thief discerns the absolute righteousness of Jesus, which evaded the Jewish religious leaders and Roman authorities. It underscores that Jesus' suffering was not a consequence of His own sin but a sacrificial act for others' sin. This discernment of Christ's flawless character by an unlikely witness serves as a profound testimony to His divine nature and perfect humanity, essential for His role as the spotless lamb of God.

Luke 23 41 Bonus section

The thief's testimony in Luke 23:41, arising from the extreme suffering of the cross, highlights the divine paradox where ultimate truth is proclaimed from unexpected sources and circumstances. His declaration not only asserts Jesus' blamelessness but also tacitly points to his faith in Jesus' kingship and future judgment, which he articulates directly in the subsequent verse (Lk 23:42). This deep insight into Jesus' character and mission, acquired likely only moments before death, distinguishes him dramatically from the mocking thief and those who reviled Christ. This 'repentant thief' effectively becomes the first believer after Christ's public ministry who not only verbally confessed Jesus' innocence but also understood His divine authority, securing an immediate promise of paradise. His acknowledgment that his suffering was "justly" due emphasizes that redemption is not about denying sin's penalty, but finding forgiveness through an undeserved grace provided by One who suffered unjustly.

Luke 23 41 Commentary

Luke 23:41 offers a concise yet profoundly theological insight from the cross. The repentant thief's words are a remarkable testament to radical conversion and clear spiritual perception. His "we indeed justly" signifies a humble, complete, and unreserved confession of personal guilt, accepting the retributive nature of their suffering as deserved punishment for a life of "deeds" (actions). This immediate, unforced recognition of justice highlights a deep moral awakening.

The turning point lies in his second statement: "but this man hath done nothing amiss." This is an extraordinary affirmation of Jesus' perfect righteousness amidst overwhelming public condemnation. The thief, a criminal, sees with spiritual clarity what religious elites and civil authorities failed to acknowledge—Jesus' utter blamelessness. This pronouncement establishes the unique character of Jesus' crucifixion: it was not a consequence of His sin, but the ultimate act of vicarious suffering. The word "amiss" (atopon) perfectly captures the absurd injustice of the world crucifying its sinless Creator. This distinction between the justly condemned criminals and the unjustly condemned Christ is crucial for understanding the redemptive nature of Jesus' death, where the innocent died for the guilty.

Practically, this verse exemplifies:

1. True Repentance: It begins with acknowledging one's sin and accepting its just consequences, without making excuses.
2. Discernment: It demonstrates the ability to recognize Jesus' inherent goodness and blamelessness even in His state of profound weakness and humiliation.
3. Faith in Christ's Innocence: It underscores that salvation is predicated on Christ's spotless sacrifice, not our merit.