The statement “Today you will be with me in paradise” is found in Luke 23:43. This verse describes an interaction between Jesus and one of the criminals who was crucified next to Him. As they hung on their crosses, one criminal mocked and derided Jesus, while the other defended Him. After rebuking the mocking criminal, Jesus then spoke the words “Today you will be with me in paradise” to the criminal who had defended Him. This powerful statement has intrigued Christians throughout history – what exactly did Jesus mean by it?
The Context of the Crucifixion
To properly understand Jesus’ words, it is important to consider the full context. Jesus was being crucified between two criminals, having been falsely accused and sentenced to death by Pontius Pilate. Despite being innocent, He did not fight against His crucifixion, but willingly gave Himself up for this purpose (Luke 23:41, John 10:18). As He hung on the cross in agony, many mocked and derided Him – from the crowds (Luke 23:35) to the Jewish leaders (Luke 23:35) to one of the criminals (Luke 23:39). Yet one of the criminals rebuked the mocking criminal, recognizing they deserved their punishment but that Jesus was innocent (Luke 23:41). Jesus was experiencing extreme physical pain, public shame, and the weight of bearing the sins of mankind – yet He still showed mercy and grace to this repentant sinner in His dying moments.
The Jewish Views of the Afterlife
In the first century Jewish culture, there were differing views of the afterlife. The Sadducees did not believe in any kind of afterlife or resurrection (Matthew 22:23). But the Pharisees taught that both the righteous and the wicked would be resurrected to face judgment (Acts 23:6-8). Some Jews believed the souls of the righteous dead went to a paradise-like place to await the future resurrection. This place was sometimes called “Abraham’s bosom” or “paradise” (Luke 16:22, 23:43). However, many Jews had an unclear or vague understanding of the afterlife at the time.
Jesus’ Clear Teaching of the Afterlife
Jesus taught with authority and clarity on spiritual matters where others had uncertainty. Throughout His ministry, He spoke more specifically about the realities of the afterlife than anyone before. He repeatedly taught that after death, there is an eternal state of existence – either eternal life in God’s kingdom for those who believe in Him, or eternal separation from God for those who reject Him (Matthew 25:46). He wanted His followers to know for certain that death would not be the end. Jesus made radical claims that He had authority over life, death, and the afterlife – authority that was vindicated by His own resurrection from the dead.
The Meaning of Jesus’ Words to the Criminal
When Jesus spoke to the repentant criminal, saying “Today you will be with me in paradise,” He was making a specific promise about the thief’s eternal destination. Though he had lived a life of sin and was justly condemned to death, this man had recognized his own guilt and Jesus’ innocence. With his dying breaths, in faith he entrusted himself to the mercy of Christ. And amazingly, while enduring the agony of crucifixion Himself, Jesus promised the criminal that after their deaths that very day they would be united together again in the joy of paradise.
“Paradise” was sometimes used in Jewish teaching as a way of referring to the abode of the righteous dead in God’s presence. So Jesus was promising the criminal that upon his death that day, he would enter into the eternal blessedness of heaven. There would be no need for this man to fear death or uncertainty about the future. His eternity was secure in Christ. This shows the amazing grace and compassion of Jesus, who loved and forgave sinners even in His darkest hour. It also displays His power and authority to truly grant eternal life to those who trust in Him.
The Importance of “Today”
It also held great meaning that Jesus said “Today you will be with me in paradise.” He specified the timing – “today” – meaning immediately upon that very day. The criminal did not need to wait until some future resurrection. He did not even need to wait until Jesus’ own resurrection three days later. Christ promised him that upon his death that very day, his soul would enter into heavenly rest with Jesus. The penitent thief would that day experience the joyous, blissful paradise promised to the righteous. This underscores the immediacy of the eternal salvation Christ brings. There is no waiting period or delay. “Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The moment anyone puts their faith in Jesus, they immediately come into possession of eternal life.
A Foretaste of His Heavenly Kingdom
This powerful promise to the criminal hanging beside Him gave a glimpse of the kingdom Jesus came to establish. Though He was dying as a criminal, Jesus showed He had the authority to offer eternal blessings to those who believed in Him. Like a king making decrees from His throne, even from the cross Jesus declared blessings over those who trusted His word. This foreshadowed the infinite spiritual riches, paradise blessings, and eternal salvation Jesus would provide when He established His everlasting kingdom through His resurrection. The criminal was invited to participate in that kingdom, beginning that very day in the afterlife. When Jesus said “Today you will be with me in paradise,” He gave one of the clearest descriptions of the nature of the eternal life believers will enjoy with Him.
The Contrast of Eternity for Believers and Unbelievers
Christ’s statement also implied a contrast between the two criminals’ ultimate destinies. While speaking to the repentant criminal, Jesus gave no such promise of paradise to the other mocker. He simply warned that the unrepentant criminal would face judgment for his sins (Luke 23:41-42). This points to the stark difference in eternity experienced by believers and unbelievers after death. One entered Jesus’ eternal kingdom while the other apparently did not. Faith in Christ determined their eternal fate, evidenced by their differing attitudes toward Jesus on the cross. One rejected Him even in His dying hour, while the other fearfully defended Him and sought His mercy. Both men faced physical death that day – but only one was welcomed by the Savior into everlasting life after death.
A Motivation for Evangelism
Jesus’ gracious promise to the believing criminal is a powerful motivation for Christians to urgently spread the gospel message. Death can come suddenly and unexpectedly. Like this criminal, there may be little time for someone to consider Christ before facing death and eternity. Christians must make the most of every opportunity to share the good news while there is still time for others to repent. The conversions of the thief and the Roman centurion at the cross (Luke 23:47) show that even in His dying moments, Jesus had power to save sinners who turned to Him in faith. As His followers, we must persistently proclaim the message of repentance and eternal life found only in Him. For all who believe in Jesus, just as He promised the repentant thief, instantly pass into paradise when they meet death – no waiting necessary.
A Picture of Saving Faith
This example shows that salvation is based on genuine faith in Jesus, regardless of the sins of one’s past or the lateness of the moment. While his life had been marked by criminal wrongdoing, in his final hour the thief demonstrated faith in the mercy and kingdom of Christ. Jesus promised him paradise based on his repentant faith, not on works or religious merit. This should give all sinners hope. Like the thief, even those who formerly rejected Jesus can turn to Him at the last moment and find eternal life through placing their trust in Him.
The Centrality of Christ
Jesus’ statement underscores that He alone is the way to salvation and eternal life. Only because of who Jesus is – the sinless Son of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29) – could He make this promise to the criminal. No mere human prophet, priest, or king could guarantee immediate paradise after death to those who trust in him. Only Jesus Christ, as true God and perfect sacrifice for sins, has the authority to grant eternal life to sinners who believe in Him. This shows why faith in Jesus is the only way to salvation (Acts 4:12). Eternal paradise is found in Christ alone.
A Demonstration of His Grace and Love
Even while experiencing excruciating agony on the cross, Jesus showed boundless love and grace to a sinner who turned to Him. He forgave the criminal’s sins and promised Him eternal blessings, demonstrating amazing compassion. This should encourage all sinners that Jesus earnestly desires their salvation, lovingly forgives those who come to Him, and delights to show mercy to the repentant. In His time of greatest suffering, Jesus’ supreme focus remained saving the lost (Luke 19:10). Even amidst His own pain, He cared more about one sinner’s eternity than anything else. What amazing love!
The Security of Salvation
Jesus did not simply say the criminal would someday enter paradise, but promised they would be together there “today.” This underscores that salvation through faith in Christ is eternally secure. Upon trusting in Jesus, believers immediately gain the certainty of eternal life that can never be lost or taken away (John 10:28-29). The criminal had no time to do religious works or rituals – yet Jesus promised him paradise based solely on his demonstrated repentant faith. There was to be no waiting period after death to see if this criminal proved “worthy” or if his salvation would stick. His eternity with Christ was divinely guaranteed the moment he expressed faith while hanging on the cross.
Conclusion
In summary, when Jesus graciously promised paradise to the repentant thief, He revealed His unlimited compassion, power to grant eternal life, authority as Lord to rule over the afterlife, and desire to seek and save the lost even in desperate moments. His words grant hopeful assurance that eternal life begins immediately for those who believe in Him. May this amazing statement motivate believers to share the gospel urgently while there is still time. Like the thief, it is never too late for other sinners to turn to Christ in faith. His infinite love and forgiveness mercifully receive all who call on Him, promising an immediate eternity of joyous paradise when they meet death – just as He pledged to the criminal who defended Him on the cross.
