Two Responses to the Crucified Christ: Through the Lens of Two Criminals in Luke 23:32-43

 

Two Responses to the Crucified Christ: Through the Lens of Two Criminals in Luke 23:32-43

 

23:39 One of the criminals hanging there blasphemed him, saying, “Are you not the Messiah?” You can save yourself and us!

23:40 But another answered him and rebuked him, saying, Do you not fear God, since you are in the same condemnation?

23:41 We are being punished justly, for we are receiving the due punishment that is due to our deeds; but this man has done nothing that is not right.

23:42 Then he said to them, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

23:43 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.

 

Aspect	First Criminal (Expression of Powerlessness/Foolishness)	Second Criminal  (Recognition of God's Power/Wisdom)
Attitude Displayed	• Blasphemed Christ • Challenging and sarcastic • Focused only on earthly salvation	• Feared God • Acknowledged his own sins • Recognized Christ's righteousness and kingdom
Specific Words	Among the hanging prisoners, Someone blasphemed Him, saying, "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" (Luke 23:39)	• "Don't you fear God, since you are under the same sentence?" (Luke 23:40) • "We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." (Luke 23:41) • "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." (Luke 23:42)
Spiritual Significance	• Represents the world's misunderstanding of the cross • Sees the cross as foolishness (1 Cor 1:23) • Like Jews seeking signs, hoping Christ would display external power	• Represents true believers' understanding of the crucified Christ • Sees Christ as God's power and wisdom (1 Cor 1:24) • Understands the mystery of Christ's willing sacrifice (John 10:11,18)
Outcome	Received no promise of salvation	Received Christ's promise: "Today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43)
Modern Application	• Warns against viewing Christ's cross through worldly eyes • Reminds us not to demand signs to prove faith	• Encourages us to understand the cross through faith • Teaches us to see the wisdom in Christ's willing death • Directs us to focus on eternal hope rather than temporal salvation
Related Scriptures	1 Corinthians 1:22 For the Jews seek after a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom, 1 Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles. 1 Corinthians 1:24 But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Interrelationship	Clear contrast between responses: • One represents human foolishness, the other divine wisdom • One seeks immediate rescue, the other looks to eternal kingdom • One blasphemes the dying Christ, the other recognizes the mystery of sacrifice

 

This table provides a complete analysis of the two criminals’ different responses to the crucifixion of Christ, combining the account in Luke with the theological insights of 1 Corinthians. The table shows:

* Two completely different spiritual perspectives

* Different understandings of the cross of Christ

* Faith versus Unbelief

* Lessons for believers today

 

Conclusion:

These responses represent the eternal contrast between human wisdom and divine wisdom, between seeking immediate physical salvation and recognizing the deeper spiritual reality of Christ's sacrifice. The passage demonstrates how the cross of Christ continues to be either a stumbling block or the power of God, depending on one's spiritual perspective.

 

*Please refer to the July 2024 Anaheim, California, USA training Experiencing, Enjoying and Manifesting Christ (II) Week 15 God’s Power and God’s Wisdom