What did Jesus promise the thief on the cross (Luke 23:43)?
DirectA clear verse states this directly, and no higher-or-equal-authority text overturns it.
Jesus promised the repentant criminal that on that very day, the day of the crucifixion, he would be with Jesus in Paradise.
Jesus' own words in Luke 23:43, confirmed by both major Greek manuscript traditions, state plainly: "Amen I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise." The Greek adverb sēmeron means "this day," and paradeisos means a garden-like place of divine presence.
Key texts:
Luke 23:43Tier 2 · Jesus
“Jesus said to him, “Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.””
Luke 23:43Tier 2 · Jesus
“και ειπεν αυτω ο ιησους αμην λεγω σοι σημερον μετ εμου εση εν τω παραδεισω”
Luke 23:43Tier 2 · Jesus
“καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἀμήν σοι λέγω, σήμερον μετ’ ἐμοῦ ἔσῃ ἐν τῷ παραδείσῳ.”
…and 6 more verses weighed in the full analysis.
Checking access…
Original-language words behind this answer:
SAM answers from primary-source texts only, weighing each verse by its authority tier. Every quotation is verified word-for-word. How the method works →