John Calvin Commentary Luke 23:41

"And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss." — Luke 23:41 (ASV)

And we indeed justly. As the reproof based on the condemnation might be thought to apply to Christ, the robber here draws a distinction between Christ's condition and that of himself and his companion; or, he acknowledges that the punishment common to all three was justly inflicted on him and his companion, but not on Christ, who had been dragged to the punishment of death, not by his own crime, but by the cruelty of enemies.

But we should remember what I said a little while ago: the robber gave proof of his repentance, the kind God demands from all of us, when he acknowledged that he was then receiving the reward due to his actions.

Above all, it should be observed that the severity of the punishment did not prevent him from patiently submitting to dreadful tortures. Therefore, if we truly repent of our crimes, let us learn to confess them willingly and without hypocrisy whenever necessary, and not refuse the disgrace we have deserved.

For the only way to bury our sins before God and angels is not to attempt to disguise them before men with vain excuses. Furthermore, among the various coverings hypocrisy seizes upon, the most frequent is that everyone draws others in with himself to excuse himself by their example. The robber, on the other hand, is no less eager to maintain Christ's innocence than he is frank and open in condemning himself and his companion.