Devine Scripture

Luke 23:43

What does Luke 23:43 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 23:43 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 23:43 means

Jesus answers with royal authority and tender assurance: “Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.” Salvation is immediate and personal—“with me.” The dying believer is promised entrance that very day into blessed fellowship. This word reveals the power of Christ’s atonement and the sufficiency of faith in Him. It overturns despair: even at the end, grace reaches the penitent. Paradise is not earned by works but granted by the King who gives His life. The cross becomes a gate to glory, and Jesus, though crucified, reigns as the Giver of eternal life.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to him, Truly I say to you, Today you will be with me in Paradise.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and Jesus said to him, `Verily I say to thee, To-day with me thou shalt be in the paradise.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Jesus said to him: Amen I say to thee: This day thou shalt be with me in paradise.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jesus said to him, Verily I say to thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Context

This promise concludes the dialogue among the cross’s three men. With the repentant criminal assured of Paradise, the narrative turns to signs in creation and at the temple that accompany Jesus’ death. Darkness covers the land, the sun’s light fails, and the veil of the temple is torn. Then Jesus entrusts His spirit to the Father. These events confirm heaven’s verdict on the cross and prepare the way for the witness of the centurion and the mourning crowds.

v.42And he said, Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom.

v.43This passage

v.44And it was now about the sixth hour, and a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 5:20

    And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly:

  • Luke 19:10

    For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost.

  • John 17:24

    Father, I desire that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

  • Isaiah 55:6

    Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near:

  • John 14:3

    And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

  • Revelation 2:7

    He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.

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