Luke 23:43
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 15
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς,
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς,
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
5 of 15
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Ἀμήν
Verily
G281
Ἀμήν
Verily
Strong's:
G281
Word #:
6 of 15
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
λέγω
I say
G3004
λέγω
I say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
σήμερον
To day
G4594
σήμερον
To day
Strong's:
G4594
Word #:
9 of 15
on the (i.e., this) day (or night current or just passed); generally, now (i.e., at present, hitherto)
μετ'
with
G3326
μετ'
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
10 of 15
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
Cross References
Revelation 2:7He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.Psalms 50:15And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.Luke 19:10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.Psalms 32:5I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.Hebrews 7:25Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.John 14:3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.Philippians 1:23For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:John 17:24Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.2 Corinthians 5:8We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.Micah 7:18Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
Historical Context
Roman crucifixion was designed for maximum humiliation and deterrence. The titulus (charge placard) above Jesus read 'THE KING OF THE JEWS' in three languages (v. 38). Two lēstai (λῃσταί)—not petty thieves but insurrectionists or bandits—flanked Christ, fulfilling Isaiah 53:12 ('numbered with the transgressors'). One thief's confession (v. 40-42) shows remarkable theology: human sinfulness, Jesus's sinlessness, a coming kingdom, and Christ's authority even in death. This exchange became the Protestant Reformation's premier text for sola fide—the thief had no time for works, yet Jesus declared him saved.
Questions for Reflection
- How does 'To day...with me in paradise' refute both purgatory and soul-sleep, and what does this reveal about the intermediate state?
- What does the thief's salvation—without baptism, church membership, or opportunity for good works—teach about the sufficiency of faith alone?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. The crucified thief receives Christianity's most stunning gospel promise. Amēn legō soi (ἀμὴν λέγω σοι)—Christ's solemn oath formula—introduces unconditional assurance. The placement of To day (sēmeron, σήμερον) demolishes purgatory and soul-sleep: immediate presence with Christ at death, before bodily resurrection.
Paradise (paradeisos, παράδεισος)—borrowed from Persian, meaning 'enclosed garden'—appears only three times in the NT (here, 2 Cor. 12:4, Rev. 2:7). Not Hades, not the final state, but the intermediate conscious blessed state of the righteous dead. This thief had no sacraments, no discipleship, no reformation—just faith recognizing Jesus as King while watching Him die. Pure grace.