In the Gospels, there are several references to two criminals who were crucified alongside Jesus Christ. They are most commonly referred to as the “Penitent Thief” and the “Impenitent Thief.” Though not named in the Bible, tradition has bestowed the names Dismas and Gestas upon these two men.
The story of the crucifixion is told in all four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. However, only the Gospel of Luke specifically mentions the interaction between Jesus and the criminals crucified on either side of him (Luke 23:39-43). Matthew and Mark briefly state that two criminals or “robbers” were crucified alongside Jesus but do not provide any other details (Matthew 27:38, 44; Mark 15:27). John’s account does not mention any other crucifixions occurring at the same time.
In Luke’s account, one of the criminals mocked and derided Jesus, saying “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39 ESV). This criminal represented the unrepentant sinner, rejecting Jesus right up until death. The other criminal, however, rebuked the first, saying “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” (Luke 23:40-41 ESV). Then he turned to Jesus and said “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42 ESV). Jesus responded by saying “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43 ESV).
This repentant criminal is thus forever remembered as the “Penitent Thief” or the “Good Thief.” He acknowledged his own guilt and recognized Jesus’ innocence and authority, showing faith in Jesus’ kingship and saving power even while dying on a cross himself. This criminal’s story provides an important lesson – it is never too late for redemption.
Though unnamed in Scripture, tradition has ascribed the names Dismas and Gestas to these two criminals. In the Arabic Infancy Gospel, they were described as bandits who carried out various robberies and murders, including killing travelers on the road to Egypt when Jesus was fleeing Herod as a young child. Gestas was unrepentant, while Dismas took responsibility for his crimes and asked for mercy.
The apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus (Acts of Pilate) from around the 4th-5th century reinforces this tradition. In it, Dismas and Gestas are identified by name – Dismas as the criminal who repented, and Gestas as the one who mocked Jesus. When Gestas asks Jesus to save them if he is the Christ, Dismas rebukes him, saying they deserve their punishment for their crimes, while Jesus is innocent.
Dismas then declares his faith in Jesus and asks him for remembrance in Paradise. After Jesus’ death, it is said that Dismas was allowed to take the body of Jesus down from the cross. According to tradition, Dismas was later martyred for his defense of Christ’s innocence. Meanwhile, Gestas was damned and his body was mutilated after death.
The names Dismas and Gestas do not appear in the Bible itself, but only in later extrabiblical texts. However, these two criminals nonetheless stand as contrasts – one mocking Jesus even at the hour of death, the other humbly repenting and receiving the promise of salvation.
Dismas and Gestas remind us that we have a choice in how we respond to Christ. Will we acknowledge our sin, repent, and accept redemption like Dismas? Or will we arrogantly reject grace and mercy even unto death, like Gestas? Though time may be short, it is never too late to turn to Jesus in faith.
Dismas provides hope that even a condemned criminal can receive eternal life if he humbles himself before Jesus. As Christ told Dismas – “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43 ESV). Salvation is available to all who trust in Jesus, up to the very last breath.
The stories of Dismas and Gestas teach us that how we respond to Jesus in this life will echo for eternity. Will we stand with Dismas, in humility and repentance? Or will we follow Gestas and persist in rebellion? Though none of us are without sin, we can all turn to Christ’s mercy. It is never too late, not even in the final moments of life.
Though the Bible does not name these two criminals, the traditional names Dismas and Gestas capture the eternal choice set before all mankind – will we repent like Dismas or reject Christ like Gestas? Let the Penitent Thief’s story stir us to humility, faith and gratitude for the generous grace we do not deserve.
The interactions between Jesus, Dismas and Gestas as they were dying on crosses together starkly illustrate the responses Jesus often provokes – humble faith in some, defiant mockery in others. As Dismas declared, Jesus was innocent and did not deserve crucifixion. Yet He willingly laid down His life so even a guilty sinner like Dismas could be forgiven.
This account from Luke’s Gospel provides one of the most dramatic examples of redemption found in Scripture. Jesus’ promise of Paradise to Dismas reveals that God’s mercy can reach anyone, at any time, when one repents and puts his faith in Christ.
The mocking tone of Gestas contrasts sharply with the humility of Dismas. Though both were guilty men on crosses, one chose repentance and was saved, while the other persisted in sinful pride and rejection of Jesus. Let us learn from Dismas rather than following the path of Gestas unto destruction.
These two unnamed criminals remind us of the responses Jesus often provokes – some respond in defiant rebellion while others humbly repent and receive new life in Christ. The eternal rewards received by Dismas and Gestas correspond precisely to how they responded to Jesus in their last moments. Let the hope of Paradise motivate us to turn to Jesus as Savior and King!
Though Dismas and Gestas appear only briefly in the Gospel narrative, they present an eternally significant choice – will we mock and reject Jesus like Gestas or acknowledge our sin and turn to Christ like Dismas? The mercy Jesus showed to the Penitent Thief reveals His boundless grace for all who call out to Him, even at life’s end.
The interactions of Jesus with these two crucified criminals provide one of Scripture’s most poignant illustrations of redemption. Let Dismas’ humility, repentance and faith spur us to accept the grace of Christ, rather than sharing the tragic fate of the defiant and rebellious Gestas who mocked Jesus even in death.
These criminals represent all humanity in their polarized responses to Christ – some with humility and repentance like Dismas, others with defiance and rejection like Gestas. Though we all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, the eternal destiny of Dismas gives hope – it is never too late to turn to Jesus and receive the gift of everlasting life.
The Gospel accounts of the crucifixion present a vivid depiction of the power of Christ to redeem even the most hopeless of sinners. Dismas went from an actual criminal doomed to death to being welcomed into Paradise by Jesus that very day! His humble faith in Christ despite being on a cross reveals the vast reach of God’s mercy.
In contrast, the tragic response of Gestas serves as a warning about hardening one’s heart against God right up until the time of death. Let us identify with Dismas, acknowledging our own sinfulness and need of a Savior, putting our faith in Jesus even if – or especially when – we are facing death itself.
These two crucified criminals highlight the polarized responses Jesus often received during His earthly ministry and continues to receive today – humble repentance and faith from some, scoffing unbelief and rejection from others. Let Dismas be an inspiration to place our confidence in Christ and receive the gift of salvation before life’s end.
Though nameless in Scripture, tradition identifies the criminals crucified with Jesus as Dismas and Gestas – the Penitent Thief and the Impenitent Thief. Their interactions with Jesus at the Place of the Skull illustrate the stunning power of Christ to redeem even a condemned sinner who places his faith in Him.
Jesus’ promise of Paradise to Dismas reveals God’s immeasurable grace and mercy. But Gestas’ tragic mocking and rejection of Jesus right up to his death serves as a sobering warning about failing to repent before it is eternally too late. Let us identify with Dismas, not Gestas!
The account in Luke’s Gospel provides perhaps the most poignant biblical example of deathbed redemption. As his life ebbed away, Dismas turned to Jesus in faith and humility, acknowledging his sin and placing his eternal destiny in Christ’s hands. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!” (Luke 23:42 ESV). And so he was.
In contrast, Gestas represents all who will persist in rebellion and rejection of Jesus even at the hour of death. He mocked and ridiculed the only One who could save him, tragically condemning himself. Let us be spurred by Dismas’ example to place our trust in Christ while there is still time.
Though history has bestowed the names Dismas and Gestas on the two criminals crucified with Jesus, Scripture does not identify them as such. Nonetheless, they aptly represent the polarized responses which Christ provokes – humble repentance or defiant rebellion. Let Dismas’ faith, even in death, urge us to turn to Jesus and receive eternal life.
The interactions between Jesus, Dismas and Gestas provide one of the Bible’s most compelling pictures of redemption. Though deserving death for his crimes, Dismas’ humble plea for mercy was met with Jesus’ gracious promise of Paradise that very day. What hope this brings! It is never too late to confess our sins and call upon Christ to save us.
In contrast, the arrogance and mocking tone of Gestas serves as a grave warning about hardening one’s heart against God up to the moment of death. How tragic to reject the only One who can grant forgiveness and eternal life! Let the examples of Dismas and Gestas spur us to repentance and faith in Christ now.
These two criminals highlight the starkly different reactions Jesus prompts – humble faith or defiant mocking. Dismas represents all who, even at life’s end, can find salvation, hope and acceptance by the sinless Savior. But Gestas reminds us there comes a point where it is too late to turn from our sins. Let his tragic story prod us to repentance before it is eternally too late!
The Gospel account reveals that even in his dying moments, Jesus retained the power to grant salvation to a humble, repentant sinner. Tradition names this thief Dismas. His simple but sincere prayer, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”, was met with the joyous promise of Paradise that very day! What comforting news for all who feel too sinful or too far gone.
In stark contrast, Gestas hardened his heart, pouring out mockery and disdain for Jesus right up until death. His tragic rejection of the very One who could save him stands as a grave warning. Let us identify with the humility and repentance of Dismas rather than the sinful pride of Gestas which leads only to condemnation.
The interactions of Jesus with these two crucified criminals could hardly present a more vivid depiction of the power of Christ to redeem even the most lost and condemned of sinners. Dismas’ humble plea and Jesus’ compassionate response offer hope to anyone willing to repent of sin and trust in Christ – even in their dying hour.
These criminals highlight the impact Jesus had and continues to have – eliciting completely different reactions. Some respond with arrogant mockery, others in humble repentance. The beauty of redemption shines forth in Dismas’ story – it is never too late to acknowledge our sinfulness and cry out for the Savior’s mercy! Let his example spur us to faith.
Dismas’ humble request to simply be remembered by Jesus secured him a place in Paradise that very day, despite a life of crime and crucifixion beside the Savior. This illustrates the boundless reach of God’s mercy to anyone willing to repent. Gestas’ tragic rejection provides a sobering warning to not harden our hearts against Christ even up to our dying breath.
These two crucified men highlight the most essential eternal choice we all face – whether to acknowledge our sins and need of salvation like Dismas or persist in selfish rebellion like Gestas. Let the Penitent Thief’s story prod us to humbly confess our sins and place our trust in Jesus while there is still time.
The Gospel account provides one of Scripture’s most compelling pictures of repentance and redemption. As death approached, Dismas turned to Christ in faith. Jesus’ merciful promise of Paradise that very day illustrates that none are beyond the reach of God’s grace. Even in our final moments, let us place our eternal destiny in the hands of Jesus.
These criminals represent all humanity in their diverse responses to Christ. Some mock and deride Him in rejection. Others humbly repent and find undeserved grace, as powerfully illustrated by the criminal tradition calls Dismas. Let his faith in his dying moments spur us to place our trust in Jesus so we too may hear those words – “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
