Luke 23:42

42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

Luke 23:42 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 23:42

And he said unto Jesus, Lord,
&c.] Acknowledging him to be the Messiah, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; the Lord of all, and especially of his church and people, and his own Lord. So the Syriac and Persic versions read, "my Lord": however, he said this by the Spirit of God, who enlightened his understanding, and wrought faith in him to believe in Christ; see ( 1 Corinthians 12:3 ) "remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom"; or rather in thy kingdom, as in ( Matthew 16:28 ) for this man had not only faith in the kingdom of Christ, as being of a spiritual nature, and not of this world, and not coming with outward pomp and observation; in which respect his faith exceeded that of the apostles themselves, who were looking for, and expecting a temporal kingdom; and he not only was without all doubt, or scruple, about Christ's entering into his kingdom and glory after death, but he had knowledge of, and faith in his second coming, when his glorious kingdom should appear, or his kingdom appear in glory; and when he desired he might be remembered by him, have favour shown him, and he share in the glories and happiness of it. This was great faith indeed to be exercised on Christ at such a time as this, when he was under the greatest reproach and ignominy; while he was insulted and derided by all sorts of people; and when he was forsaken by his own apostles, and was suffering a shameful punishment, and now dying.

Luke 23:42 In-Context

40 But the other criminal stopped him and said, "You should fear God! You are getting the same punishment he is.
41 We are punished justly, getting what we deserve for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong."
42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
43 Jesus said to him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
44 It was about noon, and the whole land became dark until three o'clock in the afternoon,
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.