“And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.”
My Notes
What Does Luke 23:41 Mean?
One of the criminals crucified alongside Jesus delivers the most theologically clear statement of the entire crucifixion narrative: "We indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss." In three phrases, the dying thief establishes: his own guilt (we deserve this), the justice of his punishment (due reward), and Christ's innocence (nothing amiss). The clearest confession of the cross comes from a criminal, not a disciple.
The word "amiss" (atopon) means out of place, improper, wrong. The thief's assessment is that Jesus has done nothing that's even slightly out of order. Not just "nothing criminal"—nothing amiss. The standard he applies is comprehensive: Jesus hasn't done anything wrong at any level. The most thorough character witness at the cross comes from a man who has done everything wrong.
The juxtaposition is staggering: the guilty man recognizes his guilt, accepts his punishment, and testifies to the innocence of the man dying next to him—all while both are nailed to crosses. The most honest theology of the crucifixion is spoken between two dying criminals while the religious establishment, the crowds, and even the other criminal mock.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Can you make the thief's confession honestly: 'I deserve this, and Jesus has done nothing wrong'?
- 2.Why does the clearest theology at the cross come from a criminal rather than a theologian? What does that say about who understands the gospel?
- 3.The thief had no time for religious performance—just honest confession. Is your approach to God more like his or more like the religious leaders'?
- 4.If the thief's honesty opened the door to paradise, what might radical honesty about your own guilt open for you?
Devotional
A dying criminal delivers the most theologically precise statement at the cross: we deserve this. He doesn't. Three truths spoken by a man with nails through his hands: I'm guilty. This punishment is just. And the man next to me has done nothing wrong.
The irony is almost too sharp: the clearest confession at Calvary comes from a thief, not a theologian. Not a disciple. Not a priest. A criminal hanging on a cross, minutes from death, who somehow sees more clearly than everyone else present. The crowds mock. The soldiers gamble. The religious leaders gloat. And the dying thief confesses.
His honesty is breathtaking: "we indeed justly." No excuses. No appeals. No "the system was unfair" or "I had no choice." We deserve what we're getting. Our deeds earned this punishment. And then: "but this man hath done nothing amiss." The sharpest possible contrast between his own guilt and Jesus' innocence. In a single sentence, he captures the entire theology of the cross: the guilty who deserve death and the innocent who dies anyway.
This is the entry point for every person who has ever come to God: the admission that the thief made. I'm guilty. The punishment is just. And Jesus—only Jesus—has done nothing wrong. You don't come to the cross with a defense. You come with a confession. And the same Jesus who turned to the thief and said "today shalt thou be with me in paradise" turns to you with the same offer. Not because you're innocent. Because He is.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Now when the centurion saw what was done,.... The eclipse of the sun, the darkness upon the land, the earthquake, the…
Due reward of our deeds - The proper punishment for our crimes. They had been highwaymen, and it was just that they…
In these verses we have,
I. Divers passages which we had before in Matthew and Mark concerning Christ's sufferings. 1.…
we receive the due reward of our deeds Literally, "we receive back things worthy of the crimes we did."
hath done…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture