One of the most painful moments in human history: the Messiah hangs on the cross at Calvary, bearing the burden of the world’s sins. Amidst physical torture and mockery, a promise made by Jesus during his final breaths remains a wonder even today: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). This declaration, made by Jesus while hanging between two crucified thieves, was not merely a word of consolation; rather, it is a profound theology of grace and faith. At that moment when everyone had abandoned Jesus, the deep confession of faith arising from a man branded as a criminal, and the resulting promise of eternal life, stands as one of the foundation stones of the Christian faith.
The Punctuation Debate
In the original Greek manuscripts, there were no punctuation marks. Therefore, this sentence is often interpreted in two ways:
A: “…Truly I say to you, today you will be with me…”
B: “…Truly today I say to you, you will be with me…”
The Traditional Interpretation: “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Here, “today” indicates the time of arrival in Paradise. The word “today” (Sēmeron) is used to signify the immediate presence of divine salvation. Thus, it emphasizes the truth of the “Immediate Afterlife”—that the soul joins Christ immediately after death.
The Alternative Interpretation: “Truly I say to you today, you will be with me in Paradise.” Here, “today” refers to the time Jesus is speaking. According to this view, Jesus is emphasizing the certainty of His promise. It means: “In this most hopeless moment (today), I give you this assurance.” In the Old Testament, we see the phrase “I command you today” in several places (e.g., Deuteronomy 6:6, 7:11, 8:1). In those instances, “today” refers to the time the command is given, not necessarily the time it is fulfilled. Those who support this interpretation believe Jesus used this Semitic idiom here. Furthermore, after the resurrection, Jesus’ words to Mary Magdalene are noteworthy: “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father…”
Jesus was crucified on Friday and rose on Sunday. If Jesus states even on Sunday morning that He has not yet gone to the Father (Heaven/Paradise), how did the thief reach Paradise on Friday? This interpretation—”I tell you today”—is used to resolve this apparent contradiction. It argues that the promise is made today, but the entry happens in the future. This view helps bring harmony with other scriptural passages regarding Jesus’ resurrection (specifically John 20:17). However, the majority of Church Fathers follow the first interpretation—that the moment a believer accepts the Messiah, they become worthy of Paradis.
Theological Significance
• Sēmeron (Today): This is a major theme in Luke’s Gospel (the Lukan ‘Today’). It is used here with the same gravity as when Jesus told Zacchaeus, “Today salvation has come to this house.” It clarifies that salvation is not something that must happen only in the distant future, but something that occurs the very moment one accepts the Messiah.
• Met’ emou (With Me): The Greek word ‘Meta’ here indicates more than just physical proximity; it signifies a deep fellowship. He who shared in the pain of the crucifixion also shares in His glory.
Perspectives of Church Fathers
Church Fathers have depicted the Good Thief (St. Dismas) as a great model of faith:
• St. Augustine: He observed that “when the disciples fled in fear and everyone rejected Jesus, this man was able to behold his King in one who hung dying.” Augustine famously described this as the “Theft of Paradise.”
• St. John Chrysostom: “The gate of Paradise was first opened for a thief; a thief entered that garden where no one else had gone, not because of his deeds, but because of the mercy of the Messiah on the cross.”
• St. Cyril of Jerusalem: He describes this as “The Miracle of Faith.” He highlights the Good Thief as the first person to recognize that Jesus’ death was not a failure but the beginning of a new Kingdom.
Conclusion
The brief conversation between Jesus and the Good Thief on the cross at Calvary is the pinnacle of Christian hope and divine grace. While there are diverse interpretations of the word “today,” the essence of the promise remains the same: the gates of Heaven will always be open before true repentance. The transformation of that thief—from judgment to salvation, and from guilt to the joy of Paradise—proclaims the hope available to every sinner in the Messiah. The great truth revealed to the world in those final moments on the cross is that man is justified not by his own works, but by faith in the supreme sacrifice of the Messiah. The faith of that thief, who recognized the Messiah as his King even in the shadow of death, remains a profound lesson for generations today.
Rev. Dr. Tom Olikkarott
