Luke 23:41 - And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.”

Generated Verse: Luke 23:41

What does "Luke 23:41" mean?


This verse is spoken by one of the criminals being crucified alongside Jesus in Luke 23:41. Let's break down its meaning:

"And we indeed justly..." This indicates the speaker acknowledges his own guilt and accepts the punishment he's receiving. He's admitting that he deserves to be crucified because of the crimes he committed.

"...for we receive the due reward for our deeds..." This reinforces the idea of deserving punishment. He's stating that his crucifixion is a just consequence for his actions.

"...but this man has done nothing wrong." This is the key part. The criminal is recognizing Jesus' innocence. He's seeing that Jesus, unlike them, is not being punished for any wrongdoing. He sees that Jesus is a victim of injustice.

In essence, the verse means:

"We are being justly punished because we are criminals and deserve this, but this man (Jesus) is innocent and doesn't deserve to be here."

Significance:

Recognition of Innocence: This verse is significant because it's one of the few testimonies within the Passion narratives that explicitly declares Jesus' innocence.
Humble Repentance: The criminal's words show a spirit of humility and repentance. He isn't denying his crimes or blaming others.
Opening to Grace: This moment of recognition and repentance opens the door for the criminal to receive Jesus' grace and assurance of salvation in the very next verse (Luke 23:43: "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.").
Contrast: The criminal's statement creates a stark contrast between himself (a guilty sinner) and Jesus (the innocent Savior).

The verse highlights the injustice of Jesus' crucifixion and the possibility of finding redemption even in the face of death. It exemplifies that repentance and recognition of Jesus' innocence can lead to salvation.