Luke 23:41

41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving {what we deserve} [for] what we have done. But this man has done nothing wrong!"

Luke 23:41 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 23:41

And we indeed justly
For sins committed against the law; our sentence is just, we are righteously punished: which shows that he had a true sense of sin; for where that is, there will be not only an acknowledgment of the offence, but a vindication of the justice of God, should he proceed to deal according to the demerit of sin: for we receive the due reward of our deeds; though, according to the law of Moses, theft was not punishable with death, but with a restoration, either double, or fourfold, or fivefold, according to the nature of it; see ( Exodus 22:1 Exodus 22:4 ) . It may be these men had committed murder along with the robbery:

but this man hath done nothing amiss;
or absurd, unreasonable, wicked, and detestable: he did no injury to God, or man; wronged no man's person or property; did all things well; obeyed the law of God perfectly, and always did the things which were pleasing to God. Thus, from the mouth of one of the malefactors Christ suffered with, was he declared innocent; when the Jews designed, by crucifying him with them, to have led the people to have believed that he suffered for a crime equal, or superior to theirs.

Luke 23:41 In-Context

39 And one of the criminals who were hanged there reviled him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself--and us!"
40 But the other answered [and] rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, because you are undergoing the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving {what we deserve} [for] what we have done. But this man has done nothing wrong!"
42 And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!"
43 And he said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise."

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Literally "[things] worthy"
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.