Luke 23:41
What does Luke 23:41 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 23:41 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 23:41 means
He continues, “We indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.” This confession pairs humility about personal guilt with a clear testimony to Jesus’ innocence. True repentance does not excuse sin; it owns it. At the same time, faith sees the spotless character of Christ. The contrast is complete: guilty men justly condemned, and the Righteous One unjustly suffering beside them. Such clarity is a work of grace. Here, at the cross, the truth about sin and the Savior meets in one honest sentence, preparing the way for a plea of faith.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And with reason; for we have the right reward of our acts, but this man has done nothing wrong.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and we indeed righteously, for things worthy of what we did we receive back, but this one did nothing out of place;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And we indeed justly: for we receive the due reward of our deeds. But this man hath done no evil.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and we indeed justly, for we receive the just recompense of what we have done; but this [man] has done nothing amiss.
Context
Having rebuked the other criminal, this man now articulates repentance and a right view of Jesus. Immediately following, he will turn from confession to request, asking Jesus to remember him when He comes into His kingdom. That appeal recognizes Jesus as a King whose death does not end His reign. The stage is set for one of Jesus’ most tender promises, granting immediate fellowship in Paradise to a dying believer.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Nehemiah 9:3
And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of Jehovah their God a fourth part of the day; andanotherfourth part they confessed, and worshipped Jehovah their God.
- James 4:7
Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
- Matthew 27:24
So when Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing, but rather that a tumult was arising, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man; see ye to it.
- Luke 15:18
I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight:
- Matthew 27:54
Now the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
- Leviticus 26:40
And they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, in their trespass which they trespassed against me, and also that, because they walked contrary unto me,
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