Luke 23:43
And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus doesn't just promise paradise, he promises immediate paradise with him. The word "today" is crucial, highlighting that this isn't a future hope, but an instant transition into God's presence, offering immense comfort to the condemned thief and all who follow.
Jesus is being crucified between two criminals, and while the crowds and the religious leaders mock him, one of the thieves on the cross rebukes the other and turns to Jesus in faith. This moment of radical trust from the dying thief highlights Jesus' power to save, even from a place of utter despair and humiliation.
Ever wondered what 'paradise' really means? It's more than just a pleasant place; it's a rich concept rooted in ancient imagery.
The word 'paradise' comes to us from Persian, originally describing an enclosed park or garden, often for royalty, filled with trees, fountains, and beauty.
From Royal Gardens to Eden
Think of the luxurious pleasure grounds of ancient kings. The translators of the Old Testament used this word to describe the Garden of Eden – the ultimate place of delight and God's presence.
A Place of Blessedness
In Jewish thought, 'paradise' became a beautiful way to talk about the place where righteous souls rest in God's presence after death, a vivid contrast to the dreadful fate of the wicked. It signifies not just a location, but a state of exquisite pleasure and peace.
Jesus' promise to the thief is powerful not just for where he would go, but when. Consider the astonishing immediacy of this offer.
The word 'today' (Greek: 'semeron') in Jesus' statement is a crucial detail. It emphasizes the immediate fulfillment of the promise, directly contradicting any idea of a delayed reward.
More Than Just a Saying
Some ancient critics tried to alter the text, placing a pause after 'today' to suggest Jesus meant 'I tell you this today, but you'll be with me later.' However, the original structure and the context make it clear: the promise is for that very day.
A Glimpse of Heaven's Speed
Jesus wasn't just offering salvation; He was offering instant salvation. Despite the agony of crucifixion, which often lasted days, Jesus assures the thief that death on the cross would lead him, that same day, into His presence. This reveals the incredible speed and eagerness of God's grace to welcome a repentant soul.
Understand the original words
paradeisos · Greek Noun
A term of Persian origin used in the New Testament to describe the abode of the blessed dead, representing the presence of God and the state of eternal joy and rest for believers immediately following death.
The promise of 'paradise' was deeply rooted in Jewish understanding of a blissful afterlife, offering immediate comfort and hope of eternal joy with Christ, even amidst the intense suffering and expected prolonged agony of crucifixion.
c. 27-30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Crucifixion and Death
Jesus is crucified at Golgotha alongside two criminals. This event is the pivotal moment of suffering and sacrifice in Christian theology.
c. 27-30 AD
Suffering on the Cross
Crucifixion victims often endured prolonged suffering, sometimes lasting for days, as their bodies slowly failed.
c. 30 AD
Jewish Beliefs About the Afterlife
Common Jewish thought held that righteous souls awaited resurrection in a place of bliss, often called 'Paradise' or 'Abraham's Bosom', distinct from the wicked's fate.
c. 30 AD
Roman Expediency in Executions
Roman authorities sometimes hastened the death of crucified individuals by breaking their legs, to ensure bodies were removed before the Sabbath.
This passage describes God placing Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, which is the original 'paradise' from which humanity fell, setting the stage for Jesus' promise of restoration to a heavenly paradise.
1 Corinthians 15:55This verse speaks about overcoming death, echoing the ultimate victory over mortality that Jesus offers to the repentant thief, who is promised immediate entry into paradise.
Philippians 1:23Paul expresses his deep desire to 'depart and be with Christ,' a sentiment that mirrors the thief's request and highlights the immediate, joyful communion with Christ promised in paradise.
Revelation 2:7This promise to the overcomer speaks of eating from the tree of life in God's paradise, directly connecting the concept of paradise with eternal life and fellowship with God, which Jesus grants the thief.
Luke 16:22The parable of Lazarus and the rich man describes Lazarus being carried by angels to 'Abraham's bosom,' a concept often understood to be synonymous with paradise, showing a similar immediate comfort for the righteous after death.
vincentLuke 23:43: "And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise."
In Paradise (παραδείσῳ)Originally an enclosed park, or pleasure-ground. Xenophon uses it of the parks of the Persian kings and nobles. "There (at Celaenae) Cyrus had a palace and a great park (παράδεισος), full of wild animals, which he hunted on horseback....Through the midst of the park flows the river Maeander ("Anabasis," i., 2, 7). And again' "The Greeks encamped near a great and bea…
clarkeLuke 23:43: "And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise."
To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise - Marcion and the Manichees are reported to have left this verse out of their copies of this evangelist. This saying of our Lord is justly considered as a strong proof of the immateriality of the soul; and it is no wonder that those who have embraced the contrary opinion should endeavor to explain away this meaning. In order to do this, a comma is pla…
Jesus doesn't just promise paradise, he promises immediate paradise with him. The word "today" is crucial, highlighting that this isn't a future hope, but an instant transition into God's presence, offering immense comfort to the condemned thief and all who follow.
Jesus is being crucified between two criminals, and while the crowds and the religious leaders mock him, one of the thieves on the cross rebukes the other and turns to Jesus in faith. This moment of radical trust from the dying thief highlights Jesus' power to save, even from a place of utter despair and humiliation.
Jesus is being crucified between two criminals, and while the crowds and the religious leaders mock him, one of the thieves on the cross rebukes the other and turns to Jesus in faith. This moment of radical trust from the dying thief highlights Jesus' power to save, even from a place of utter despair and humiliation.
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What is the greatest treasure promised in paradise? It’s not just the place, but the presence of the One who makes it paradise.
Jesus' promise isn't just about reaching a destination; it's about who he will be with. "Today you will be with me in paradise." This is the core of the blessing.
More Than a Kingdom, A Companion
For the thief, suffering on a cross, Jesus' kingdom might have seemed distant. But Jesus redefines it: it's about immediate, intimate fellowship with Him. This companionship is the ultimate glory, surpassing even the beauty of Eden itself.
Jesus, Our Ultimate Paradise
This promise assures us that the greatest joy in heaven isn't merely heavenly scenery or freedom from suffering, but the deep, personal presence of Jesus Christ. It’s the longing of the believer’s heart, as expressed by Paul, to 'depart and be with Christ.'
"And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”" — Jesus doesn't just promise paradise, he promises immediate paradise with him. The word "today" is crucial, highlighting that this isn't a future hope, but an instant transition into God's presenc…
