Luke 23 · Verse 42

Luke 23:42

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Luke 23:42, King James Version

Luke 23:42 in other translations

BSBThen he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”
WEBHe said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
ASVAnd he said, Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom.
YLTand he said to Jesus, ‘Remember me, lord, when thou mayest come in thy reign;'
DARBYAnd he said to Jesus, Remember me, Lord, when thou comest in thy kingdom.
BBEAnd he said, Jesus, keep me in mind when you come in your kingdom.
WebsterAnd he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

What does Luke 23:42 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
42. said unto Jesus, &c.--Observe here (1) The "kingdom" referred to was one beyond the grave; for it is inconceivable that he should have expected Him to come down from the cross to erect any temporal kingdom. (2) This he calls Christ's own (Thy) kingdom. (3) As such, he sees in Christ the absolute right to dispose of that kingdom to whom He pleased. (4) He does not presume to ask a place in that kingdom, though that is what he means, but with a humility quite affecting, just says, "Lord, remember me when," &c. Yet was there mighty faith in that word. If Christ will but "think upon him" (Ne 5:19), at that august moment when He "cometh into His kingdom," it will do. "Only assure me that then Thou wilt not forget such a wretch as I, that once hung by Thy side, and I am content." Now contrast with this bright act of faith the darkness even of the apostles' minds, who could hardly be got to believe that their Master would die at all, who now were almost despairing of Him, and who when dead had almost buried their hopes in His grave. Consider, too, the man's previous disadvantages and bad life. And then mark how his faith comes out--not in protestations, "Lord, I cannot doubt, I am firmly persuaded that Thou art Lord of a kingdom, that death cannot disannul Thy title nor impede the assumption of it in due time," &c.--but as having no shadow of doubt, and rising above it as a question altogether, he just says, "Lord, remember me when Thou comest," &c. Was ever faith like this exhibited upon earth? It looks as if the brightest crown had been reserved for the Saviour's head at His darkest moment!

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 42. Remember me. This is a phrase praying for favour, or asking him to grant him an interest in his kingdom, or to acknowledge him as one of his followers. It implied that he believed that Jesus was what he claimed to be--the Messiah; that, though he was dying with them, yet he would set up his kingdom; and that he had full power to bless him, though about to expire. It is possible that this man might have heard him preach before his crucifixion, and have learned there the nature of his kingdom; or it may have been that while on the cross Jesus had taken occasion to acquaint them with the nature of his kingdom. While he might have been doing this, one of the malefactors may have continued to rail on him while the other became truly penitent. Such a result of preaching the gospel would not have been unlike what has often occurred since, where, while the gospel has been proclaimed, one has been "taken and another left;" one has been melted to repentance, another has been more hardened in guilt. The promise which follows shows that this prayer was answered. This was a case of repentance in the last hour, the trying hour of death; and it has been remarked that one was brought to repentance there, to show that no one should despair on a dying bed; and but one, that none should be presumptuous and delay repentance to that awful moment.

When thou comest, &c. It is impossible now to fix the precise idea which this robber had of Christ's coming. Whether it was that he expected that he would rise from the dead, as some of the Jews supposed the Messiah would; or whether he referred to the day of judgment; or whether to an immediate translation to his kingdom in the heavens, we cannot tell. All that we know is, that he fully believed him to be the Messiah, and that he desired to obtain an interest in that kingdom which he knew he would establish.

(i) "Lord" Ps 106:4,5, Rom 10:9,10, 1Cor 6:10,11

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 42 Lord, remember me, etc. - It is worthy of remark, that this man appears to have been the first who believed in the intercession of Christ.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 23:32-43

As soon as Christ was fastened to the cross, he prayed for those who crucified him. The great thing he died to purchase and procure for us, is the forgiveness of sin. This he prays for. Jesus was crucified between two thieves; in them were shown the different effects the cross of Christ would have upon the children of men in the preaching the gospel. One malefactor was hardened to the last. No troubles of themselves…

Read the full comment on Luke 23:32-43 →

Luke 23:42 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiAndG2532
ἔλεγεν·elegenhe was saying:G3004
Ἰησοῦ,IēsouJesus,G2424
μνήσθητίmnēsthētido rememberG3403
μουmoumeG3165
κύριεkurieLordG2962
ὅτανhotanwhenG3752
ἔλθῃςelthēsYou may comeG2064
εἰςeisintoG1519
τὴνtēntheG3588
βασιλείανbasileiankingdomG932
σου.souof You!G4771

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Luke 23:42

  • Romans 10:9-14

    That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. …

  • Acts 16:31

    And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

  • 1 John 5:11-13

    And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:10-11

    Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

  • Luke 12:8

    Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

  • Luke 18:13

    And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

  • Acts 20:21

    Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • 1 John 5:1

    Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

  • Isaiah 9:6-7

    For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

  • Psalms 106:4-5

    Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation; That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.

  • Daniel 7:13-14

    I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

  • 1 Peter 2:6-7

    Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Lord.
18:13; Ps 106:4,5; Joh 20:28; Ac 16:31; 20:21; Ro 10:9-14
1Co 6:10,11; 1Pe 2:6,7; 1Jo 5:1,11-13
when.
12:8; Joh 1:49; Ro 10:9,10
thy.
24:26; Ps 2:6; Isa 9:6,7; 53:10-12; Da 7:13,14; 1Pe 1:11

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Luke 23:41

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

  • Luke 23:42

    And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

  • Luke 23:43

    And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Read all of Luke 23

Luke 23:42 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y dijo á Jesús: Acuérdate de mí cuando vinieres á tu reino.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et il disait à Jésus: Souviens-toi de moi, Seigneur, quand tu viendras dans ton royaume.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und er sprach zu Jesu: Gedenke meiner, Herr wenn du in deinem Reiche kommst!
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et dicebat ad Jesum: Domine, memento mei cum veneris in regnum tuum.