Luke 23:40

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

Complete Jewish Bible:

But the other one spoke up and rebuked the first, saying, “Have you no fear of God? You’re getting the same punishment as he is.

Berean Standard Bible:

But the other one rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same judgment?

American Standard Version:

But the other answered, and rebuking him said, Dost thou not even fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But{G1161} the other{G2087} answering{G611} rebuked{G2008} him{G846}, saying{G3004}, Dost{G5399} not{G3761} thou{G4771} fear{G5399} God{G2316}, seeing{G3754} thou art{G1488} in{G1722} the same{G846} condemnation{G2917}?

Cross-References (KJV):

Revelation 15:4

  • Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for [thou] only [art] holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

Luke 12:5

  • But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Psalms 36:1

  • ¶ To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David the servant of the LORD. The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, [that there is] no fear of God before his eyes.

Ephesians 5:11

  • And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them].

Jeremiah 5:3

  • O LORD, [are] not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, [but] they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.

2 Chronicles 28:22

  • And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this [is that] king Ahaz.

Leviticus 19:17

  • Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

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Commentary for Luke 23:40

Luke 23:40 is a verse that captures a poignant moment during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In this scene, two criminals are being crucified alongside Jesus, each on their own cross. The verse records the interaction between these two criminals in the midst of their shared fate. One of the criminals joins the crowd and the soldiers in mocking Jesus, demanding that Jesus save Himself and them if He truly is the Messiah. However, the other criminal rebukes the first, saying, "Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?"

This verse touches on several themes:

1. **Human Response to Suffering**: It illustrates the different ways people respond to suffering and impending death. While one criminal succumbs to despair and cynicism, the other demonstrates a moment of clarity and repentance.

2. **Recognition of Sin and Judgment**: The rebuking criminal acknowledges his own sinfulness and the just nature of his punishment. His words reflect an understanding that both he and the mocking criminal are facing divine judgment for their actions.

3. **Fear of God**: The verse highlights the concept of "fearing God," which in biblical terms means having a reverential awe and respect for God's holiness and authority. The criminal implies that even in the face of death, one should not forget the greater reality of God's sovereignty.

4. **Redemption and Hope**: Although not explicitly stated in this verse, the context leading up to it and following it shows that the repentant criminal goes on to ask Jesus to remember him when He comes into His kingdom. Jesus' response in the subsequent verse (Luke 23:43) offers hope of redemption and eternal life, contrasting the hopelessness of the situation with the promise of paradise.

5. **Historical Context**: Crucifixion was a common form of execution in the Roman Empire, reserved for the worst criminals and often carried out publicly to deter others from committing similar crimes. The dialogue between the criminals reflects the harsh realities of crucifixion and the societal views on crime and punishment during that historical period.

In summary, Luke 23:40 encapsulates a powerful moment where one criminal, in the midst of his own suffering and death, recognizes his sinfulness and the reality of divine judgment, rebuking his fellow criminal for his lack of fear of God. This moment sets the stage for one of the most profound expressions of grace and redemption in the New Testament, as Jesus responds to the repentant criminal's plea for mercy.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: G1161
    There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δέ
    Transliteration:
    Pronunciation: deh
    Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
  2. Strong's Number: G2087
    There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἕτερος
    Transliteration: héteros
    Pronunciation: het'-er-os
    Description: of uncertain affinity; (an-, the) other or different:--altered, else, next (day), one, (an-)other, some, strange.
  3. Strong's Number: G611
    There are 248 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀποκρίνομαι
    Transliteration: apokrínomai
    Pronunciation: ap-ok-ree'-nom-ahee
    Description: from ἀπό and ; to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare עָנָה) to begin to speak (where an address is expected):--answer.
  4. Strong's Number: G2008
    There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐπιτιμάω
    Transliteration: epitimáō
    Pronunciation: ep-ee-tee-mah'-o
    Description: from ἐπί and τιμάω; to tax upon, i.e. censure or admonish; by implication, forbid:--(straitly) charge, rebuke.
  5. Strong's Number: G846
    There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αὐτός
    Transliteration: autós
    Pronunciation: ow-tos'
    Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
  6. Strong's Number: G3004
    There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: λέγω
    Transliteration: légō
    Pronunciation: leg'-o
    Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
  7. Strong's Number: G5399
    There are 90 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: φοβέω
    Transliteration: phobéō
    Pronunciation: fob-eh'-o
    Description: from φόβος; to frighten, i.e. (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. revere:--be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence.
  8. Strong's Number: G3761
    There are 125 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐδέ
    Transliteration: oudé
    Pronunciation: oo-deh'
    Description: from οὐ and δέ; not however, i.e. neither, nor, not even:--neither (indeed), never, no (more, nor, not), nor (yet), (also, even, then) not (even, so much as), + nothing, so much as.
  9. Strong's Number: G4771
    There are 163 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σύ
    Transliteration:
    Pronunciation: soo
    Description: the personal pronoun of the second person singular; thou:-- thou. See also σέ, σοί, σοῦ; and for the plural ὑμᾶς, ὑμεῖς, ὑμῖν, ὑμῶν.
  10. Strong's Number: G2316
    There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: θεός
    Transliteration: theós
    Pronunciation: theh'-os
    Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
  11. Strong's Number: G3754
    There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅτι
    Transliteration: hóti
    Pronunciation: hot'-ee
    Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
  12. Strong's Number: G1488
    There are 89 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἶ
    Transliteration:
    Pronunciation: i
    Description: second person singular present of εἰμί; thou art:--art, be.
  13. Strong's Number: G1722
    There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐν
    Transliteration: en
    Pronunciation: en
    Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
  14. Strong's Number: G2917
    There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: κρίμα
    Transliteration: kríma
    Pronunciation: kree'-mah
    Description: from κρίνω; a decision (the function or the effect, for or against ("crime")):--avenge, condemned, condemnation, damnation, + go to law, judgment.