Understanding the Comma in Luke 23:43

Luke 23:43

43 And Jesus said to him, Truly I say to you, To day shall you be with me in paradise.

The correct understanding of Luke 23:43 is that Jesus was affirming the promise on that day, not claiming the thief would enter paradise immediately that same day.

The Punctuation in Luke 23:43

The original Greek text had no punctuation, so translators added commas. Placing the comma after "today" gives the accurate sense: Jesus declared the future promise while speaking on the cross. This reading aligns with the thief's request to be remembered when Jesus comes into His kingdom, not an immediate transfer to paradise that day.

The thief asked to be remembered at a future time when the kingdom would arrive Luke 23:42. Jesus responded by confirming that promise with authority on that very day, without contradicting the timeline of His own death and resurrection.

Jesus Did Not Enter Paradise That Day

Jesus remained in the tomb for three days and nights after the crucifixion. On the morning of His resurrection He explicitly told Mary He had not yet ascended to the Father John 20:17. Paradise exists in the third heaven where the tree of life stands Revelation 2:7+1. Therefore the promise could not have been fulfilled the same day of the crucifixion.

The Thief's Request and Jesus' Answer

The dying thief recognized Jesus as the coming King and asked to be remembered at that future time. Jesus gave a gracious assurance that the request would be granted, speaking with divine authority on the day of apparent defeat. This moment highlighted Jesus' power to forgive and save even in His suffering.

The assurance pointed forward to the resurrection and the establishment of the kingdom rather than an immediate heavenly transfer.

Broader Biblical Timeline

Scripture consistently shows that the righteous receive their reward at the resurrection, not at death. The kingdom Jesus spoke of had not yet been established at the cross, and both He and the thief remained dead until the resurrection morning. This understanding preserves the harmony of the entire Bible regarding the state of the dead and the timing of eternal life.

The promise stands as a beautiful assurance that the repentant sinner will indeed be with Jesus in paradise when the kingdom comes.

Luke 23:43

43 And Jesus said to him, Truly I say to you, To day shall you be with me in paradise.

You make a very observant point, and it is entirely understandable why the reading in the King James Version, the NLT, and other modern translations leads to this conclusion! The direct answer is that while the men on the cross are specifically identified in Scripture as thieves and brigands, the punctuation found in our English Bibles is a human addition, not a part of the original inspired text.

Here is a deeper look into the history of the text, the identity of the thieves, and how we can know with absolute certainty the true meaning of Christ's promise.

✝️ The Identity of the Thieves

The men crucified alongside Jesus are identified in Scripture as thieves, malefactors, and robbers Luke 23:32+1. Historically, they were brigands and were likely followers of Barabbas, who was a known insurrectionistETI Thieves, The two.2. While they were condemned criminals receiving the due reward for their wicked deeds, it was the repentant thief who recognized the innocence of Jesus and asked for salvation Luke 23:41-42.

📜 The Origin of Punctuation in the Bible

It is true that standard English translations, including the deeply trusted King James Version, place the comma before the word "today." However, the punctuation in our Bibles is not a work of divine inspirationMPC 102.2.

When the apostles wrote the Greek Scriptures, the text was written in solid blocks of capital letters, known as uncials, without any spaces between words, let alone commas, periods, or other punctuation marksMPC 102.2+2. The comma in its present form was not even invented until the year A.D. 1490 by a printer in VeniceSYNPT 128.1+1. The punctuation, chapter divisions, and verse divisions were all added centuries later by uninspired menSITI March 1, 1883, page 98.3. Because editors and translators placed these points based on their own understanding, the punctuation is subject to correction when it contradicts the plain truth of the rest of ScripturePTUK October 30, 1902, page 694.6+2.

⏱️ Why "Today" Modifies the Declaration

If the comma is left where modern translators placed it, it forces Jesus to contradict HimselfARSH September 15, 1859, page 130.7. Jesus did not go to paradise on the day He diedSYNPT 128.1. Three days after His crucifixion, Jesus plainly told Mary that He had not yet ascended to His Father John 20:17. We know that paradise is located in the third heaven, where God's throne and the tree of life reside 2 Corinthians 12:2-4+2. Since Jesus had not yet ascended to the Father three days later, it is an absolute impossibility that He and the thief were in paradise together on FridaySYNPT 128.1+1.

In the original Greek, the word translated as "today" is an adverb used to give strength and emphasis to the verb "say"ARSH March 25, 1858, page 147.17. By placing the comma after "today," the beautiful and correct meaning of the text emerges: "Verily I say unto thee today, thou shalt be with me in paradise"MPC 102.2+1.

📖 A Biblical Parallel

This manner of speaking is not strange or unique; it is a profound biblical way of making a firm promise. A perfect parallel is found in the Old Testament: "Turn you to the strong hold, you prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double to you" Zechariah 9:12. The Lord was not saying the reward would be given that exact day; rather, He was making a definitive declaration on that day about a future eventMPC 102.2+2.

Jesus was doing the exact same thing on the cross. While hanging in ultimate humiliation, seemingly defeated, and mocked by the crowds, Jesus exercised His divine authority as the King of Kings Matthew 27:40-42ST December 8, 1898, par. 2+1. He was assuring the dying thief: Even now, today, in the midst of My agony and apparent defeat, I give you the absolute promise that when My kingdom comes, you will be with Me in paradiseST December 8, 1898, par. 2+1.