Luke 23:41 Meaning and Explanation
“And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →He confesses that the two of them suffer justly for their deeds, but that Jesus has done nothing wrong.
What Does Luke 23:41 Mean?
The penitent thief speaks two verdicts in one breath: against himself, honestly — we receive the due reward of our deeds — and for Jesus, accurately: nothing amiss. He joins Pilate, Herod, and soon the centurion as witnesses to the prisoner's innocence.
Here is repentance in its plainest form — no excuses, no appeal against the sentence, simply owning the truth about oneself while confessing the truth about Christ. The two confessions belong together; the soul that admits its guilt is the soul ready to see his sinlessness. From that honest place, the thief stands one sentence away from paradise.
Luke 23:41 in the Original Language
atopos (ἄτοπον), 'amiss' -- literally out of place; nothing improper at all.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 23:41
What does Luke 23:41 mean?
He confesses that the two of them suffer justly for their deeds, but that Jesus has done nothing wrong.