Why did one criminal mock Jesus while the other sought salvation in Luke 23:39-43? Canonical Text (Luke 23:39-43) “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him: ‘Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!’ But the other one rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same judgment? We are punished justly, for we are receiving what our actions deserve. But this Man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’” Scene Setting: Two Men, One Crossroad Both malefactors are minutes from death, exposed to identical sights—nails, mocking crowds, the inscription “KING OF THE JEWS,” and the extraordinary composure of Jesus. Yet they interpret the scene in opposite ways. Scripture consistently portrays such divergent responses (cf. John 7:43; Acts 28:24) as the outworking of heart condition when confronted with divine revelation. Historical Background: Crucifixion and Messianic Hope Archaeological finds such as the Jehohanan ankle-bone (Jerusalem, A.D. 1st cent.) confirm the Roman practice of nailing through the calcaneus, matching Luke’s detail. Luke dates events to Pontius Pilate’s prefecture (inscription at Caesarea Maritima, A.D. 26-36). Jewish expectation of a conquering Messiah ran high (cf. John 6:15). The first criminal’s taunt—“Save Yourself and us!”—mirrors the prevailing hope for political deliverance, not spiritual redemption. Prophetic Framework Isaiah 53:12 : “He was numbered with the transgressors.” Psalm 22 describes passer-by mockery (vv. 7-8). Zechariah 12:10 foretells penitence upon seeing the Pierced One. The penitent thief’s plea aligns with these prophecies, illustrating Luke’s theme of Scripture fulfilled (Luke 24:27,44). Two Hearts: Regeneration versus Hardness Jeremiah 17:9 diagnoses the natural heart as “deceitful above all things.” Humanly identical criminals diverge because the Holy Spirit awakens one to fear God (Proverbs 1:7; John 16:8). Ephesians 2:4-5: “But God, being rich in mercy … made us alive with Christ.” Without such quickening, the default response is hostility (Romans 8:7). Thus the mocking thief typifies unregenerate man; the repentant thief evidences instantaneous new birth. Human Responsibility and Divine Sovereignty Luke emphasizes accountability: the penitent admits guilt—“We are punished justly.” Yet Jesus attributes salvation solely to grace—“Today … with Me.” Scripture unites these truths: God must draw (John 6:44) and man must repent (Acts 17:30). The scene echoes Proverbs 29:1, warning that repeated hardening invites sudden destruction. Psychological and Behavioral Insights Terror-management studies observe that imminent death can intensify pre-existing worldviews: scoffing or surrender. Cognitive dissonance drives one thief to self-justify through ridicule; the other resolves dissonance by confession. Near-death narratives frequently report life-review and moral clarity, paralleling the second criminal’s lucid assessment of “what our actions deserve.” Pastoral and Evangelistic Application Every hearer stands where the two criminals stood: condemned (Romans 3:23) with one final choice. Hebrews 9:27 fixes judgment after death; 2 Corinthians 6:2 declares “now is the day of salvation.” Luke records the contrasting responses to compel readers toward repentance. The passage also comforts late-life converts: no one is beyond grace while breath remains. Summary One mocked because his heart remained hardened in unbelief, pursuing temporal rescue and self-justification. The other sought salvation because, by the Spirit’s conviction, he feared God, acknowledged guilt, recognized Christ’s innocence and kingship, and entrusted himself wholly to Jesus. The scene fulfills prophecy, confirms Luke’s historical reliability, illustrates the doctrines of grace and human responsibility, and issues an urgent call: choose repentance and life with Christ in Paradise. |
    |