Luke 23:41

41 We deserve this, but not him - he did nothing to deserve this."

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 One of the criminals hanging alongside cursed him: "Some Messiah you are! Save yourself! Save us!"
40 But the other one made him shut up: "Have you no fear of God? You're getting the same as him.
41 We deserve this, but not him - he did nothing to deserve this."
42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom."
43 He said, "Don't worry, I will. Today you will join me in paradise."
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.