Two men hung on crosses beside Jesus, and their responses defined eternity. The story of the two thieves crucified with Jesus bible verse is one of the most powerful moments in the Gospels. It shows how two people facing the same death made completely different choices.
You probably know the basic story. Jesus was crucified between two criminals. But what you might not realize is how much this scene teaches us about grace, repentance, and judgment. Let’s look at what the Bible actually says.
The Biblical Account Of The Crucifixion
The event is recorded in all four Gospels, but the details about the thieves appear mostly in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. John’s Gospel mentions them briefly but focuses more on Jesus.
Matthew 27:38 says: “Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left.” Mark 15:27 repeats this almost exactly. Luke gives us the most detail in chapter 23.
Here is what Luke records:
- Both criminals insulted Jesus at first (Matthew 27:44, Mark 15:32)
- One thief later changed his mind and rebuked the other
- He asked Jesus to remember him in His kingdom
- Jesus promised him paradise that very day
This is the core of the story. Two guilty men. One innocent Savior. And two very different responses.
Two Thieves Crucified With Jesus Bible Verse
The exact phrase “two thieves crucified with jesus bible verse” points you to Luke 23:39-43. This is the key passage. Let me break it down for you.
Verse 39: “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!'”
Verse 40-41: “But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.'”
Verse 42: “Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'”
Verse 43: “Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.'”
That is the entire exchange. Short. Simple. Life-changing.
Why This Passage Matters So Much
This is one of the clearest examples of salvation by grace through faith in the Bible. The thief did not get baptized. He did not do good works. He did not attend church. He simply believed and asked.
Jesus responded immediately. No waiting period. No probation. “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
This shows you that it is never too late to turn to God. Even in your final moments, grace is available.
What The Thief Actually Believed
The repentant thief understood several things:
- He was guilty and deserved punishment
- Jesus was innocent
- Jesus had a kingdom that was not of this world
- Jesus could grant him entrance into that kingdom
That is remarkable faith. He saw a dying man on a cross and recognized Him as a King. He had no evidence except the way Jesus carried Himself.
Some scholars think the thief may have heard Jesus teach before. Others believe he was simply given supernatural insight. Either way, his confession is genuine.
The Two Different Responses
Let’s compare the two thieves more closely. They were in the exact same situation. Same punishment. Same pain. Same proximity to Jesus. Yet they responded completely differently.
The Unrepentant Thief
This man joined the crowd in mocking Jesus. He said, “Save yourself and us!” His focus was on physical deliverance. He wanted to escape the cross, not be forgiven of sin.
His attitude reflects many people today. They want God to fix their problems without changing their hearts. They want relief without repentance.
Notice he said “us.” He included the other thief in his demand. But the other thief had already changed his mind.
The Repentant Thief
This man did three things:
- He rebuked the other thief
- He confessed his own guilt
- He acknowledged Jesus’ innocence and authority
He did not ask to be taken down from the cross. He did not ask for an easy death. He asked for remembrance in the kingdom. That is true faith.
Jesus did not say, “I’ll think about it.” He gave an immediate, certain promise.
What The Thief’s Request Teaches Us
The thief said, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” This is a prayer of faith. He believed Jesus would rise from the dead and establish His kingdom.
He did not say, “If you come into your kingdom.” He said “when.” That is confidence.
Jesus responded with a promise that goes beyond what the thief asked. He did not just promise to remember him. He promised paradise that very day.
This shows you that God always gives more than we ask. The thief asked for future remembrance. Jesus gave immediate salvation.
Paradise In The Bible
The word “paradise” appears only three times in the New Testament. Here, in 2 Corinthians 12:4, and in Revelation 2:7. It refers to the dwelling place of God with the redeemed.
Jesus told the thief he would be there that day. This means the thief’s soul went immediately to be with the Lord after death. There was no waiting in a temporary state.
This is consistent with what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:8: “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”
Common Misconceptions About The Thieves
There are several ideas people get wrong about this story. Let me clear them up.
Were They Really Thieves?
The Greek word used is “lestes.” It can mean robber, bandit, or insurrectionist. Some scholars believe they were revolutionaries fighting against Rome. Others think they were common criminals.
Either way, they were guilty. The repentant thief admitted it. “We are getting what our deeds deserve.”
Did Both Thieves Insult Jesus Initially?
Matthew and Mark say both thieves insulted Jesus. Luke only records one insulting Him. This seems like a contradiction, but it is not.
The most likely explanation is that both started out mocking Jesus. Then one changed his mind. Luke focuses on the change. Matthew and Mark record the initial state.
This happens in real life. People change. The repentant thief is proof.
Was The Thief Saved By Works?
Some people think the thief earned salvation by rebuking the other criminal. That is not correct. He was saved by faith alone. His rebuke was evidence of his faith, not the cause of it.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says salvation is by grace through faith, not by works. The thief is a perfect example.
The Significance Of Being Crucified With Jesus
Isaiah 53:12 prophesied that the Messiah would be “numbered with the transgressors.” Jesus was executed between two criminals to fulfill this prophecy.
This was humiliating. It made Jesus look like the worst of sinners. But it also showed His identification with humanity.
He came to save sinners. Dying between them was a visual reminder of His mission.
The two thieves represent all of humanity. We are all guilty. We all deserve punishment. But we can choose to respond in faith or in rejection.
What About The Unrepentant Thief?
The Bible does not tell us his name. Tradition sometimes calls him Gestas. The repentant thief is often called Dismas. But these names are not in Scripture.
The unrepentant thief died in his sin. He had the same opportunity as the other man. He saw the same Jesus. He heard the same words. But he hardened his heart.
This is a sobering reminder. Proximity to Jesus does not save you. You must respond in faith.
Applying This Story To Your Life
This story is not just ancient history. It has direct application for you today.
No One Is Beyond Redemption
If a dying criminal could be saved in his final moments, so can you. No matter what you have done, grace is available.
The thief did not have time to clean up his life. He came to Jesus as he was. You can do the same.
Do not wait until you are “good enough.” You never will be. Come as you are.
Repentance Is A Change Of Mind
The Greek word for repentance is “metanoia.” It means to change your mind. The thief changed his mind about Jesus. He went from mocking to believing.
Repentance is not just feeling sorry. It is turning from sin to God. The thief demonstrated this by rebuking the other criminal and confessing his own guilt.
Faith Can Be Simple
The thief’s prayer was short. “Remember me.” He did not use fancy theological language. He just asked.
Your prayer does not have to be eloquent. God hears simple, honest cries.
Other Bible Verses About The Crucifixion
While the story of the thieves is powerful, it is part of a larger narrative. Here are other verses that give context.
- Isaiah 53:12 – Prophecy of being numbered with transgressors
- Matthew 27:38 – Two robbers crucified with Jesus
- Mark 15:27 – Same account
- Luke 23:39-43 – The detailed conversation
- John 19:18 – Mentions Jesus was crucified between two others
These verses together give a complete picture of the event.
The Timing Of The Crucifixion
Jesus was crucified at the third hour (9 AM) according to Mark 15:25. The thieves were crucified at the same time. Darkness covered the land from the sixth to the ninth hour (noon to 3 PM).
Jesus died at the ninth hour. The thieves were still alive when He died. The soldiers later broke their legs to speed up death, but Jesus was already dead.
This fulfilled prophecy that none of His bones would be broken (Psalm 34:20, John 19:36).
What Early Christians Thought About The Thieves
The story of the repentant thief was very important to early Christians. They saw it as proof that baptism was not required for salvation. The thief was never baptized.
It also showed that salvation is by faith alone. The thief had no opportunity for good works. He was saved purely by trusting Jesus.
Some early church fathers wrote about the thief. They called him a model of repentance. They pointed out that he confessed Christ when the disciples had fled.
His faith was stronger than that of the apostles in that moment.
The Thief In Christian Tradition
Tradition says the repentant thief’s name was Dismas. He is venerated as a saint in some Christian denominations. His feast day is March 25 in some traditions.
The unrepentant thief is sometimes called Gestas. But again, these names are not in the Bible. They come from apocryphal writings.
The important thing is not their names but their responses.
Lessons For Today’s Believers
This story teaches several lessons that are still relevant.
Deathbed Repentance Is Real But Risky
The thief was saved at the last moment. But do not count on having that opportunity. You do not know when you will die.
Many people say, “I will repent on my deathbed.” But death can come suddenly. A heart attack. An accident. A stroke. You may not have time.
Also, a deathbed repentance may not be genuine. The thief’s repentance was real because he confessed Christ publicly. Many people just fear death, not sin.
Do not delay. Respond to God today.
Suffering Can Reveal The Heart
Both thieves were suffering. One became bitter. One became humble. Suffering does not automatically make you better. It reveals what is already in your heart.
When you face trials, you have a choice. You can curse God or turn to Him. The thief shows you the right response.
Jesus Is A King Even On A Cross
The thief recognized Jesus’ kingship while He was dying. That is remarkable. The world saw a failure. The thief saw a King.
Do not judge by appearances. Jesus was winning the greatest victory in history while hanging on that cross. He was defeating sin and death.
The thief saw what others missed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the exact Bible verse about the two thieves crucified with Jesus?
The key passage is Luke 23:39-43. It records the conversation between Jesus and the repentant thief. Matthew 27:38 and Mark 15:27 also mention the two thieves.
Were the two thieves saved?
Only one thief was saved. He repented and asked Jesus to remember him. Jesus promised him paradise. The other thief did not repent and died in his sin.
What did the repentant thief say to Jesus?
He said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” This was a request for salvation and inclusion in Christ’s future kingdom.
Did Jesus forgive the thief immediately?
Yes. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” There was no delay. The thief was forgiven and promised eternal life that very day.
Why is the story of the two thieves important?
It shows that salvation is by grace through faith alone. It proves that no one is beyond redemption. It also demonstrates that repentance can happen at any moment, even the last.
Final Thoughts On The Two Thieves
The two thieves crucified with Jesus represent every person who has ever lived. We are all guilty. We all face death. We all have a choice.
One thief chose mockery. One chose faith. One died in his sin. One died in grace.
The difference was not their circumstances. It was their response to Jesus.
You are making that same choice right now. You can reject Jesus like the unrepentant thief. Or you can cry out to Him like the repentant one.
He will respond the same way He did two thousand years ago. “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
That promise is still valid. It is available to you. Do not wait until your final breath. Turn to Him now.
The two thieves show you that it is never too late. But they also show you that tomorrow is not guaranteed. Respond today.
Jesus is still the King on the cross. He is still saving sinners. He is still keeping His promises.
Trust Him. Like the thief did. And you will be with Him in paradise.