The Two Thieves

GOLDEN TEXT: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” —I John 1:9

LUKE 23:32-43

THE account of the two male-factors, or thieves, who were crucified with Jesus has been grossly misunderstood. As a rule it is misused in an attempt to prove that those who repent and accept Christ as their Redeemer just before they die are sure to go immediately to heaven. The promise made to the kindly disposed thief that he would be with Jesus in paradise is the basis for this incorrect reasoning. Let us examine the record and see what it does reveal with respect to the divine plan.

As we saw in last week’s lesson, one of the charges leading to Jesus’ crucifixion was that he claimed to be a king. An inscription to this effect was mounted at the head of his cross: “This is the king of the Jews.” Most of those at the scene of the crucifixion were aware that Jesus had been a worker of miracles; that he had “saved others.” The two thieves knew this, and one of them said to Jesus, “If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.”—vs. 39

The other thief was more considerate. He rebuked his companion for his attitude, and acknowledged that while they were being justly punished, Jesus had done no wrong. Then, turning to Jesus, he requested, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” (vs. 42) The circumstances and surroundings suggested this request. The inscription over the cross, the conversation of the soldiers, etc., indicated that Jesus expected one day to set up a kingdom, a government. While the immediate situation indicated that this was a false expectation, it might be that some miracle would occur that would change this situation. After all, Jesus was purported to be a worker of miracles.

If perchance Jesus should come into a kingdom, and in time to save him, the thief wanted to be remembered. It is possible, of course, that the thief was projecting his vision to the time of the resurrection, although it is not necessary to suppose he did. Certainly he did not realize that Jesus was then dying as his Redeemer, and the Redeemer of the whole world of mankind. Even Jesus’ disciples did not realize this at the time.

But Jesus, in a desire to bear witness to the great kingdom truth, lifted the scene from its local setting and made a promise to the thief which was to be fulfilled in a future age, and after they had both been raised from the dead. He said to the thief, according to Rotherham’s translation, “Verily I say unto thee this day: with me shalt thou be in paradise.”—vs. 43

The principal difference between this and the Common Version translation is that it places the punctuation in its proper place, which is after the word “today,” rather than before it. Thus Jesus is seen to emphasize the day in which he was making the promise, rather than telling the thief that they would be in paradise together that day. Despite the fact that everything seemed against Jesus that day, he assured the thief that through the agencies of his kingdom, paradise conditions will be restored throughout the earth, and that the thief would be raised from the dead and have an opportunity of enjoying its blessings.

For Jesus to make such a promise on such a day gave great evidence of his faith in the victorious outworking of the divine plan. Beside, this was quite a customary manner of speech in Bible times. Deuteronomy 4:39 reads, “Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord, he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath.”

Neither Jesus nor the thief went to paradise the day they died. They both died. Jesus died for the sins of the world. He poured out his soul unto death. (Isa. 53:10,12) His soul went to sheol, which is the Bible hell. (Ps. 16:10) The thief died as a member of the condemned and dying race, and became unconscious in death.—Eccles. 9:5,10

Jesus’ death provided redemption for the thief, and for all mankind, including the other thief. All will be awakened from the sleep of death and given an opportunity to accept redemption through Christ, obey the laws of the kingdom, and live forever. Naturally, the thief who showed consideration to Jesus will the more readily accept that loving provision when it is offered to him, but he will have to demonstrate by his obedience that he has genuinely turned to the Lord. All will have to do this, and it will be more difficult for the thief who railed at Jesus.

QUESTIONS

What misuse has been made of the account of the two thieves who were crucified with Jesus?

What did the thief know about Christ’s kingdom, that he should ask to be remembered in it?

Why did Jesus speak of paradise in his reply to the thief, and what is implied by his use of the word “today”?

Why do we know that neither Jesus nor the thief went to Paradise the day they died?

| Home Page | Table of Contents |