Knowing The Word in Luke 23:32-43, The Two Criminals

Luke calls the place of Jesus’ crucifixion “The Skull,” which is a translation from the Latin “calvaria” from which we get Calvary. All the gospel writers say he was killed between two criminals. This fulfills Isaiah 53:12, that says he died in the midst of transgressors. Jesus asks the Father to forgive his executioners. Perhaps his plea to forgive them extends beyond them to all who are at the cross. It was presumed that the clothes of the crucified became the property of the executioners, so they cast lots to see who gets them. Luke is clear the rulers are evil. They scoff at Jesus about salvation. The irony is that they do not believe what they are saying while Jesus is actually saving all who believe that he is the Christ! Only Luke tells us that the wine offered to Jesus is part of the mockery. All four writers include the inscription “This is the King of the Jews,” which is on the placard above his head, announcing the crime requiring his execution. It was Pilate who required its placement and wording as revenge on the Jewish leaders.

Only Luke includes the dialogue between Jesus and the two men being crucified with him. One criminal’s question to Jesus about being the Christ presupposes “yes” as the answer to his question, but it is laced with sarcasm and picks up on the verbiage of the rulers’ mockery. The other criminal comes to Jesus’ defense. Where does he get his insight that Jesus might be God? As one theologian has written, “Conversion seldom takes place on the soft and easy couch.” It seems the hard wood of the cross has brought him to a new place of being open to the presence of the living God. He realizes that death is not the end of things and asks Jesus to remember him when he comes into his kingdom, even though he probably did not understand the true meaning of Jesus’ kingdom. Jesus responds they will be together in paradise. The word translated “paradise” is from a Persian word meaning “garden.” It is used in the Old Testament specifically for the Garden of Eden.

Luke 23:32-43

32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Prayer

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who from the bosom of the Father did descend from heaven to the earth, and on the wood of the cross did suffer five wounds, and shed your precious blood for the remission of our sins: we meekly beseech you that, in the day of judgment, we may be set on your right hand, and hear your joyful sentence, “Come, you blessed of my Father, enjoy the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;” where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, God, for ever and ever.

John Hilsey, Prymer, 1539