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People of the Bible
Who Was the Thief on the Cross?
In short
The thief on the cross was a criminal crucified beside Jesus who, in his final agonized hours, turned to Him in faith and simply asked to be remembered.
Jesus promised him paradise that very day. It is the clearest picture in all the Bible that salvation is by grace, received even at the last moment, by anyone who turns to Christ.
“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:43 · King James Version (public domain)
The Thief on the Cross at a glance
| Name | The Thief on the Cross |
|---|---|
| Where to read about them | The Gospel of Luke |
| Key passage on this page | Luke 23:43 |
| Passages linked to that verse | 10 |
| Translation on this page | King James Version (public domain) |
Read it in context
Scripture explains Scripture. These passages are linked to this one most often by readers.
- Revelation 2:7
- Psalms 50:15
- 1 Timothy 1:15-16
- Luke 19:10
- Psalms 32:5
- John 14:3
- Hebrews 7:25
- John 17:24
- Philippians 1:23
- 2 Corinthians 12:3-4
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY.
Questions people ask
Where can I read about The Thief on the Cross in the Bible?
The Thief on the Cross appears in The Gospel of Luke. Start with the key passage on this page, then read the whole chapter around it.
What other passages sit beside Luke 23:43?
Readers most often set it next to Revelation 2:7, Psalms 50:15, 1 Timothy 1:15-16, Luke 19:10.
Why does The Thief on the Cross matter to Christians today?
Because the story of The Thief on the Cross is told to point to Christ and to teach us to love one another. Read it as part of the one story of Scripture, not as a stand-alone biography.
Pray this
Jesus, our Shepherd, nothing about The Thief on the Cross is hidden from you. We bring you The Thief on the Cross, The Gospel of Luke. Teach us to love one another, as you have loved us. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Live this
Take one step this week.
- Read the key passage, Luke 23:43, aloud once today.
- Write one sentence about what The Thief on the Cross's story says about God, not only about The Thief on the Cross.
- Tell one person what you noticed, and ask what Bible story has stayed with them.
Where this fits in the walk with Christ
Nothing here is a finish line. It is one door into a life with Christ and with His people.
Read the story of The Thief on the Cross
You can read the story of The Thief on the Cross in The Gospel of Luke on The Living Bread, free, with audio, and with Simon to answer your questions along the way.
