Was the Other Thief Saved?

by Michael Shackleton · Published October 6, 2015 · Updated October 2, 2015

In Luke 23:39-43 there is the story of the two thieves crucified with Jesus. One asked Jesus to remember him when he got to his kingdom, and Jesus replied that he would be with him in paradise that day. What about the other thief? Was he condemned to hell because he did not ask Jesus to remember him? We seem to presume that he was not saved at all. MM?Olivier

Three Crosses, Bavaria, Germany

We are not given a clue about who these two crucified criminals were. We can make some assumptions about them.

They must have been aware of Jesus and his ministry, particularly in Jerusalem. Each recognises that the man on the cross in the middle has a reputation for doing wonderful things for people and is known as the Christ.

We can also assume that these men knew Jesus as a good man who was being put to death unjustly. They hoped that he would deliver them and himself from crucifixion because of his renowned powers.

As the hours passed, they began to appreciate that no such deliverance would come. The first to speak showed his anger, despairingly demanding to know why this Christ could not help them.

The other thief, equally conscious of the fate that awaited him, seems to have had time to reflect on what was happening. He tells the other that the pair of them have been justly sentenced to death, while Jesus had done nothing to deserve such a punishment.

�Jesus,� he says, �remember me when you come in your kingly power.� The response is quick and generous: �Today you will be with me in paradise.�

Christ had not yet come into his kingly power at that moment. He had not yet risen from the tomb in triumph. So he promises to take the man to paradise, a state of happiness foreshadowing the kingdom.

The two thieves are traditionally referred to respectively as repentant and unrepentant. Certainly, Jesus assured the former that he was saved, not from death but from sin.

This does not imply that the latter thief was not repentant and not saved. He did blurt out to Jesus: �Are you not the Christ?� This remark could indicate that he really believed in Jesus, but could not comprehend why he was now so inactive. After what the repentant thief said to him he could have been repentant while simultaneously being terrified of death.

St Luke�s description of this dramatic moment highlights the importance of confessing that Jesus is the Messiah who had been predicted by the ancient prophets and who had now come into this world to lead us to his everlasting kingdom.