The Thief on the Cross

Illustration of The Thief on the Cross
A dying criminal turned to the crucified Jesus with five words - 'Lord, remember me' - and heard, 'today shalt thou be with me in paradise.'

One of the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus rebuked the other for mocking him, acknowledged that they were justly condemned while Jesus had done nothing wrong, and then turned to Jesus with a simple plea: 'Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.' Jesus answered, 'To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.' In his final hours, with no chance to be baptized or do good works, the dying thief was saved by faith alone - one of Scripture's clearest and most moving pictures of grace received at the very edge of death.

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Details

Category
Petition
Prayed by
The repentant thief

Key Chapters

Luke 23 The Trial and Crucifixion 7 min read

Key Passages

Remember Me When Thou Comest

Luke 23:39-43

A39nd one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

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Themes

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Did You Know?

1

A dying criminal was saved by faith alone in his final hours.

2

He asked only, 'Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.'

3

Jesus promised, 'To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.'

4

It is one of Scripture's clearest pictures of grace at the last moment.