Meaning, commentary and cross references
Luke 23:43
“And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
NIV · New International Version
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
WEB · World English Bible
Jesus said to him, “Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
What does Luke 23:43 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Luke 23:43
And Jesus said unto him,.... Jesus immediately answered him, though he said not one word to the other that railed at him, or to the multitude that abused him; and promised him more than he asked for, and sooner than he expected. Verily I say unto thee, today thou shall be with me in paradise; , "in the garden of Eden"; not the earthly paradise, nor the church militant, but the future place, and state of the happiness of the saints, even heaven, and eternal glory, which the Jews frequently call by this name; See Gill on 2 Corinthians 12:4 and is so called, because, as the earthly paradise, or Eden's garden, was of God's planting, so is the heavenly glory of his providing and preparing: as…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Luke 23:35–43
43. Verily I tell thee. Though Christ had not yet made a public triumph over death, still he displays the efficacy and fruit of his death in the midst of his humiliation. And in this way he shows that he never was deprived of the power of his kingdom; for nothing more lofty or magnificent belongs to a divine King, [278] than to restore life to the dead.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Luke 23:40–46 (WEB)
40But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Don’t you even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42He said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” 43Jesus said to him, “Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” 44It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 45The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” Having said this, he breathed his last.
Cross references
- Revelation 2:7
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of my God.
- Psalms 50:15
- 1 Timothy 1:15–16
The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
- Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”
- Psalms 32:5
- John 14:3
If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also.
- Hebrews 7:25
Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them.
- John 17:24
Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Key words
In the Baptist Catechism
- Q41. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
The souls of believers are at death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory, and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.