Matthew Henry Commentary Luke 23:32-43

"And there were also two others, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. And when they came unto the place which is called The skull, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand and the other on the left. And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And parting his garments among them, they cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also scoffed at him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, offering him vinegar, and saying, If thou art the King of the Jews, save thyself. And there was also a superscription over him, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. And one of the malefactors that were hanged railed on him, saying, Art not thou the Christ? save thyself and us. But the other answered, and rebuking him said, Dost thou not even fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said, Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom. And he said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise." — Luke 23:32-43 (ASV)

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 of the gospel.

One malefactor was hardened to the last. No troubles, by themselves, will change a wicked heart. The other was softened at the last: he was snatched as a brand out of the burning and made a monument of Divine mercy. This gives no encouragement to anyone to delay repentance until their deathbeds, or to hope that they will then find mercy. It is certain that true repentance is never too late; but it is just as certain that late repentance is seldom true.

No one can be sure they will have time to repent at death, but everyone can be sure they cannot have the advantages this penitent thief had. We will see the case to be singular if we observe the uncommon effects of God's grace upon this man. He reproved the other for railing against Christ. He acknowledged that he deserved what was done to him. He believed Jesus to have suffered wrongfully.

Observe his faith in this prayer. Christ was in the depth of disgrace, suffering as a deceiver, and not delivered by His Father. He made this profession before the wonders were displayed that put honour on Christ's sufferings and startled the centurion. He believed in a life to come and desired to be happy in that life; not like the other thief, to be only saved from the cross. Observe his humility in this prayer.

All his request is, Lord, remember me; completely referring it to Jesus how He should remember him. Thus he was humbled in true repentance, and he produced all the fruits of repentance his circumstances would allow. Christ upon the cross is gracious like Christ upon the throne. Though He was in the greatest struggle and agony, yet He had pity for a poor penitent.

By this act of grace, we are to understand that Jesus Christ died to open the kingdom of heaven to all penitent, obedient believers. It is a single instance in Scripture; it should teach us to despair of no one, and that no one should despair of themselves. But lest it should be abused, it is contrasted with the awful state of the other thief, who died hardened in unbelief, though a crucified Saviour was so near him. Be sure that, in general, people die as they live.