Luke 23:43

The context

Luke's crucifixion scene includes the mockery of the rulers and soldiers and the exchange between the two criminals. One joins the mockery; the other rebukes him and asks to be remembered in the kingdom. Jesus answers with a promise that includes the word "today," and the scene then moves to the darkness and the temple curtain.

What it establishes

The verse grants assurance of immediate presence with Christ to a man dying in disgrace, with no opportunity for any subsequent obedience. It also places the promise within the day of the crucifixion, which is the point of the word "today."

What it does not establish

It does not describe the intermediate state. “Paradise” is named but not defined, and the verse says nothing about its location or the condition of the dead. Nor does it settle the punctuation debate; Greek manuscripts had no commas.

Short note, first pass, October 2026. Corrections welcome.

Cited in these answers

• The Crucifixion
• Why do Christians think God is going to let them into heaven because they were better than everybody else?

Part of Scripture, Opened — the exegetical layer behind every citation on this site. Scripture quotations are from the ESV.