Luke 23:41

KJV

And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} we {G2249} indeed {G3303} justly {G1346}; for {G1063} we receive {G618} the due reward {G514} of our {G3739} deeds {G4238}: but {G1161} this man {G3778} hath done {G4238} nothing {G3762} amiss {G824}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Ours is only fair; we’re getting what we deserve for what we did. But this man did nothing wrong.”

Berean Standard Bible

We are punished justly, for we are receiving what our actions deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

American Standard Version

And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 23:41 captures the profound confession of one of the criminals crucified alongside Jesus, often called the "penitent thief." In this pivotal moment on Calvary, he acknowledges the justness of his own condemnation, admitting that he and his companion are receiving the deserved consequences of their actions. In stark contrast, he boldly declares Jesus' absolute innocence, testifying that the Lord had committed no wrong. This statement serves as a powerful, unexpected affirmation of Christ's blamelessness from a condemned man at the zenith of Jesus' humiliation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Luke's detailed account of Jesus' crucifixion, a narrative central to the Gospel's portrayal of Christ's redemptive work. Immediately preceding this, Jesus has been mocked by soldiers and rulers, and one of the criminals crucified with Him has joined in the taunts, challenging Jesus to save Himself and them [Luke 23:39](/luke/23-39 "Luke 23:39 - The Taunting Criminal"). The repentant criminal's rebuke of his fellow malefactor and his subsequent confession in [Luke 23:40-41](/luke/23-40-41 "Luke 23:40-41 - The Repentant Thief's Rebuke and Confession") stands in stark contrast to the widespread derision, highlighting a singular moment of spiritual insight and faith amidst profound darkness and suffering. It sets the stage for Jesus' gracious promise of paradise to the repentant man in [Luke 23:43](/luke/23-43 "Luke 23:43 - Jesus' Promise to the Thief").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Roman crucifixion was a brutal, public form of execution designed to inflict maximum suffering and serve as a deterrent. It was reserved for the lowest classes, slaves, and political rebels. The presence of two criminals alongside Jesus underscores the Roman authorities' intent to portray Him as a common lawbreaker, associating Him with insurrectionists or notorious offenders. For a Jew, crucifixion was also associated with the curse of God [Deuteronomy 21:23](/deuteronomy/21-23 "Deuteronomy 21:23 - The Curse of Hanging"), adding another layer of ignominy to Jesus' death. The criminal's confession of receiving "the due reward of our deeds" reflects an understanding of retributive justice common in both Roman and Jewish legal thought, where punishment was seen as a direct consequence of one's actions.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 23:41 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of Luke and the broader biblical narrative. It emphasizes the theme of **Divine Justice** and **Human Guilt**, as the criminal acknowledges the righteousness of his own condemnation in contrast to the world's typical denial of responsibility. Simultaneously, it highlights the **Innocence of Christ**, serving as a crucial, unsolicited testimony to Jesus' blamelessness, echoing Pilate's repeated declarations of "no fault" [John 19:4](/john/19-4 "John 19:4 - Pilate Declares Jesus Innocent") and foreshadowing the Roman centurion's later confession of Jesus' righteousness [Luke 23:47](/luke/23-47 "Luke 23:47 - The Centurion's Confession"). Furthermore, the verse implicitly introduces the theme of **Repentance and Grace**, as the criminal's acknowledgment of sin paves the way for his plea to Jesus and the subsequent promise of salvation, demonstrating that God's mercy extends even to the most desperate and undeserving.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **justly (Greek, _dikaíōs'_):** This adverb, derived from the Greek word for "righteous" or "just," signifies that the punishment received is equitable, fair, and in accordance with what is right. The criminal's use of this word indicates a clear and sober understanding that his suffering is not arbitrary but a deserved consequence of his actions, aligning with a moral and legal standard of justice.
* **receive the due reward (Greek, _apolambánō áxios'_):** The verb _apolambánō_ means "to receive in full" or "to get back what is due," often implying a complete or final recompense. Coupled with _áxios_, meaning "deserving" or "worthy," this phrase powerfully conveys the idea that the criminals are experiencing the full and appropriate consequences for their deeds. It underscores the concept of retributive justice where the penalty perfectly matches the offense.
* **nothing amiss (Greek, _oudeís átopos'_):** This phrase combines _oudeís_ ("not even one," "nothing") with _átopos_, which literally means "out of place," "improper," "absurd," or "wicked." The criminal's declaration that Jesus has done "nothing out of place" or "nothing improper" is a profound affirmation of Christ's perfect righteousness and blamelessness. It asserts that Jesus' suffering is entirely unwarranted and unjust from any human or moral perspective, emphasizing His unique status as the sinless Son of God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And we indeed justly;":** The criminal begins by acknowledging the righteousness of his own punishment. The inclusion of "indeed" (Greek _mén_) emphasizes the truth and certainty of his statement, contrasting it with the injustice being inflicted upon Jesus. He recognizes that the suffering he endures is a direct and fair consequence of his own actions.
* **"for we receive the due reward of our deeds:":** This clause provides the reason for the previous statement. The criminal explicitly links their current suffering to their past "deeds" (Greek _prássō_, implying habitual or repeated actions, not just a single act). He understands that they are experiencing the full and deserved recompense for their criminal lifestyle, demonstrating a profound sense of self-awareness and accountability.
* **"but this man hath done nothing amiss.":** This is the pivotal contrast. The conjunction "but" (Greek _dé_) introduces a stark opposition between the criminals' deserved punishment and Jesus' undeserved suffering. The criminal unequivocally declares Jesus' complete innocence, asserting that He has committed no act that is "out of place," "improper," or "wicked." This unsolicited testimony from a condemned man is a powerful affirmation of Christ's blameless character and the profound injustice of His crucifixion.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Contrast** is the most prominent, highlighted by the conjunction "but" (Greek _dé_), which sharply differentiates the deserved punishment of the criminals from the undeserved suffering of Jesus. This contrast underscores Jesus' unique innocence. There is also a profound **Irony** in the fact that a condemned criminal, moments from death, becomes a clearer witness to Jesus' righteousness than the religious leaders or Roman authorities. His statement serves as a powerful **Testimony**, an unexpected and compelling declaration of truth from an unlikely source, lending significant weight to the assertion of Jesus' blamelessness. Furthermore, this criminal's insight **Foreshadows** the confession of the Roman centurion in [Luke 23:47](/luke/23-47 "Luke 23:47 - The Centurion's Confession"), who also recognizes Jesus' righteousness, thereby building a cumulative witness to Christ's innocence throughout the crucifixion narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 23:41 serves as a stark reminder of humanity's fallen state and the universal reality of sin, yet it simultaneously magnifies the unparalleled righteousness of Jesus Christ. The criminal's confession, "we receive the due reward of our deeds," resonates with the biblical truth that "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned"). His recognition of Jesus' blamelessness, "this man hath done nothing amiss," points directly to Christ's unique qualification as the spotless Lamb of God, the only one capable of bearing the sins of others. This verse thus powerfully illustrates the theological necessity of vicarious atonement, where the innocent one suffers on behalf of the guilty.

* [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")
* [Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5-6 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - The Suffering Servant")
* [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The poignant confession of the repentant criminal on the cross offers profound lessons for every believer. His willingness to acknowledge his own guilt, stating "we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds," serves as a powerful model for genuine repentance. True turning to God begins not with self-justification or blame-shifting, but with an honest and humble recognition of our own sinfulness and the justness of God's judgment against it. This radical self-awareness contrasts sharply with the world's tendency to deny responsibility. Simultaneously, his bold declaration of Jesus' innocence compels us to gaze upon Christ as the perfectly righteous, spotless Lamb of God, whose suffering was entirely undeserved and purely for our sake. This deepens our appreciation for His atoning sacrifice and the immense grace extended to us. The immediate salvation granted to this criminal, as seen in Jesus' promise in [Luke 23:43](/luke/23-43 "Luke 23:43 - Jesus' Promise of Paradise"), provides immense hope: salvation is by grace through faith, available even at life's final moments, irrespective of one's past deeds or religious standing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be tempted to deny responsibility for your actions, rather than acknowledging them "justly"?**
* **How does the criminal's testimony about Jesus' innocence deepen your understanding and appreciation of Christ's sacrifice for your sins?**
* **What does this verse teach you about the nature of true repentance and the accessibility of God's grace, even in desperate circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Who was this criminal, and why is his testimony so significant?**

Answer: The Bible does not give us the name of this criminal; he is simply identified as one of the two malefactors crucified alongside Jesus. He is traditionally known as the "penitent thief" to distinguish him from the other criminal who mocked Jesus. His testimony is profoundly significant because it comes from an unexpected source—a condemned man who, moments from death, offers an unsolicited and clear affirmation of Jesus' complete innocence. This stands in stark contrast to the accusations of the religious leaders and the Roman authorities, lending powerful credibility to the truth of Jesus' blamelessness. It highlights that even those on the fringes of society, facing their just judgment, can recognize and declare the truth about Christ.

**What does "done nothing amiss" truly imply about Jesus?**

Answer: The phrase "done nothing amiss" translates the Greek _oudeís átopos_. The word _átopos_ literally means "out of place," "improper," or "absurd." When the criminal states that Jesus has done "nothing amiss," he is declaring that Jesus has committed no act that is morally wrong, legally unjust, or fundamentally out of alignment with perfect righteousness. This is a comprehensive affirmation of Jesus' sinless character, implying not merely an absence of criminal activity but a complete moral and spiritual perfection. It underscores that Jesus' suffering on the cross was entirely unmerited from His perspective, making His sacrifice uniquely redemptive.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 23:41, spoken from the lips of a dying criminal, profoundly fulfills the Christ-centered narrative by highlighting Jesus' absolute innocence, which is foundational to His role as the atoning sacrifice. The criminal's declaration, "this man hath done nothing amiss," echoes the Old Testament prophecies of a blameless suffering servant who would bear the iniquities of others [Isaiah 53:9](/isaiah/53-9 "Isaiah 53:9 - He Had Done No Violence"). Jesus, the Lamb of God "without blemish and without spot" [1 Peter 1:19](/1_peter/1-19 "1 Peter 1:19 - Christ, the Lamb Without Blemish"), was uniquely qualified to be the perfect sacrifice because He had no sin of His own for which to die. The criminal's confession of his own just punishment ("we receive the due reward of our deeds") illuminates the vicarious nature of Christ's death: Jesus, who "knew no sin," was "made to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him" [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us"). Thus, this verse, from an unexpected and humble source, powerfully testifies to the very essence of the Gospel: that the perfectly righteous Son of God suffered unjustly so that the truly guilty might receive mercy and eternal life, fulfilling the divine plan for salvation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 26:40

¶ If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me;

Leviticus 26:41

And [that] I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:

Ezra 9:13

And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities [deserve], and hast given us [such] deliverance as this;

Matthew 27:4

Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What [is that] to us? see thou [to that].

Matthew 27:24

When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but [that] rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed [his] hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye [to it].

1 Peter 1:19

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

James 4:7

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.