Luke 23 42

Luke 23:42 kjv

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

Luke 23:42 nkjv

Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."

Luke 23:42 niv

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

Luke 23:42 esv

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

Luke 23:42 nlt

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom."

Luke 23 verses

Luke 23 42 Meaning

Luke 23:42 captures a pivotal moment on the cross, revealing a profound declaration of faith by one of the crucified criminals. It is his heartfelt plea to Jesus, acknowledging Him as a reigning Lord and expressing a longing to be included in His divine, eternal kingdom, contrasting starkly with the mockers and highlighting Jesus' true authority even in apparent weakness.

Luke 23 42 Context

Luke 23:42 is situated during the crucifixion of Jesus on Golgotha, a scene of extreme suffering and public humiliation. Jesus is crucified between two common criminals, described as "malefactors." Prior to this verse, both criminals had reportedly joined in reviling Jesus (Matt 27:44, Mk 15:32). However, at this critical juncture, one of the criminals (traditionally known as the "penitent thief") experiences a change of heart. He rebukes the other mocker, acknowledging Jesus' innocence ("this man hath done nothing amiss") and accepting his own just punishment ("we receive the due reward of our deeds"). This sets the stage for his desperate yet profound appeal to Jesus, highlighting a stark contrast between belief and unbelief even in the shadow of death. Historically, crucifixion was a brutal Roman execution method designed to maximize suffering and public degradation. The Jewish understanding of Messiahship often involved a powerful earthly king, making this criminal's recognition of Jesus' spiritual kingdom highly unusual and deeply significant.

Luke 23 42 Word analysis

• And he said: Refers to the "second" or "penitent" malefactor. This phrase marks the transition from his defense of Jesus in the previous verses (Lk 23:40-41) to his personal plea, highlighting his individual repentance and faith.
• unto Jesus: A direct address to the suffering Savior. It signifies the thief's recognition of Jesus' identity and presence, even amidst their shared agony and the mockery of others.
• Lord (Κύριε - Kyrie): This is a powerful and significant title, often used in the Septuagint (Greek OT) to refer to Yahweh. While it can mean "Sir" or "Master," from the lips of a dying criminal to a dying man, especially in the context of "Thy Kingdom," it carries an acknowledgment of divine authority, sovereign rule, and supreme mastership. It denotes recognition of Jesus' true status beyond a mere man or prophet.
• remember me (μνήσθητί μου - mnēsthēti mou): This is more than a casual request to recall someone. In biblical usage, "to remember" (especially when God is the object) often implies a covenantal action, an act of divine favor, protection, and restoration. For instance, God "remembered" Noah (Gen 8:1) to save him, and "remembered" His covenant with Abraham (Exo 2:24) to deliver Israel. The thief is essentially asking for inclusion in Jesus' eschatological salvation and his future reign, seeking divine intervention for his eternal destiny. It speaks of a deep awareness of his need for grace and hope beyond the grave.
• when thou comest (ὅταν ἔλθῃς - hotan elthēs): This refers to a future, definite coming. It doesn't mean "when you get off the cross," but points to a post-resurrection and glorious return or inauguration of Jesus' full kingly rule. The thief's understanding extends beyond the present suffering to Jesus' future exaltation and the establishment of His kingdom.
• into thy kingdom (εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν σου - eis tēn basileian sou): This is the culmination of the thief's theological understanding. He perceives that Jesus, though crucified, is truly a king, and His kingdom is not of this world (as Jn 18:36 clarifies), but a spiritual and eternal dominion. This confession directly contrasts with the mocking of others who demanded Jesus save Himself from the cross to prove His kingship. The thief grasped the spiritual nature of Jesus' rule and recognized Jesus' power to usher him into eternal blessedness. This acknowledges Jesus' kingly authority and sovereign power over the realm of the afterlife and salvation.

Luke 23 42 Bonus section

The penitent thief's confession serves as a powerful biblical counter-argument to various theological positions:

• Infant baptism as a requirement for salvation: The thief was certainly not baptized, yet received assurance of salvation.
• Salvation by works or merit: The thief had nothing to offer but his humble plea, yet received grace.
• Purgatory or intermediate suffering: Jesus' promise "today shalt thou be with Me in paradise" indicates an immediate entrance into the Lord's presence for the repentant believer, with no waiting period or further cleansing required after death.
• Despair for those on their deathbed: This account offers immense hope that true repentance and faith, even at life's end, can lead to immediate salvation.This event also highlights the paradox of the cross: though seemingly a defeat, it was precisely there, through Jesus' suffering and the thief's recognition, that the nature of His true Kingdom was revealed. It was a kingship established not by earthly power, but by sacrificial love and eternal authority. The contrast between the two criminals is stark and deliberate by Luke: one chooses mockery, the other chooses humble faith, demonstrating humanity's divergent responses to Jesus Christ.

Luke 23 42 Commentary

Luke 23:42 presents a powerful testament to the sovereignty of divine grace and the profound simplicity of saving faith. This dying criminal, despite his past life, recognizes Jesus' true identity as Lord and King, acknowledging His ultimate authority over eternal destinies. His confession is remarkable not for its theological sophistication, but for its authenticity and the context of overwhelming ridicule surrounding Jesus. It exemplifies salvation given purely by grace through faith, even at the last possible moment, without works or rituals. It also profoundly counters any notion that one must live a "good life" or perform specific rites to receive salvation, showing God's mercy extends to even the most outwardly unworthy who turn to Him. The immediate promise of "paradise" to the thief in the subsequent verse (Lk 23:43) underscores the immediate efficacy of Jesus' saving power and the truth of direct access to God's presence through Him.