Salvation and the Penitent Thief

The account of the thief on the cross in Luke 23 is a remarkable window into the nature of faith and salvation. This unnamed man, crucified alongside Jesus, expresses a simple yet profound faith. He makes a plea that Jesus “remember [him] when [He comes] into [His] kingdom.” Jesus’ response—“Today you will be with Me in Paradise”—confirms that the thief’s faith is sufficient for salvation.

This passage challenges some interpretations of what kind of faith is necessary to enter eternal life. Some have argued that one must believe in Christ specifically for eternal life, requiring an understanding of doctrines like eternal security or a precise understanding of Jesus’ promise of everlasting life. However, a closer look at the text suggests that the thief’s belief that Jesus is “the Christ”—the King—was enough for him to receive the promise of Paradise.

The Simplicity of the Thief’s Faith

The thief’s request is simple: “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” In this single statement, the thief expresses:

1. Recognition of Jesus as King: His reference to Jesus’ “kingdom” demonstrates faith that Jesus is the promised Davidic King, the Messiah, or Christ. In the Jewish tradition, the title “Christ” (or “Messiah”) is inherently tied to kingship and deliverance, and the thief’s acknowledgment suggests he recognises Jesus’ proper role in God’s redemptive plan.

2. Expectation of Jesus’ Return: Though he may not understand the mechanics of resurrection, the thief believes Jesus will somehow establish His kingdom after His death. This shows he has faith that Jesus’ death isn’t the end of His story, and that Jesus will fulfil His role as King in the coming age.

Interestingly, these beliefs fulfil what John 20:31 declares as the purpose of the Gospel: “…that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” The text in John does not demand belief in eternal life per se, but rather belief in Jesus as the Christ, which grants life by association with Him.

What the Thief Believed—And What He Didn’t

The thief’s understanding might have been far from complete. We are not told about any prior discipleship or doctrinal training. And there is no indication that he believed Jesus would rise from the dead in three days or that he grasped doctrines like eternal security or future rewards. Yet Jesus guaranteed his place in Paradise. In doing so, Jesus responded to the thief’s faith in His identity and kingship without requiring an exhaustive doctrinal understanding or confession.

There’s also the matter of the other thief, who, by contrast, mocked Jesus, challenging Him to save Himself if He was indeed the Christ. This exchange implies that Jesus’ identity as the Christ was central to the scene. The penitent thief’s faith contrasts with the disbelief of the mocking thief, suggesting that what separates the two is their recognition of Jesus as the Christ, not necessarily their understanding of all He came to accomplish. In fact, the penitent thief expresses faith in Jesus despite the common understanding of the Messiah in that time, i.e. an undefeatable figure.

Over-Interpretations and the Core Message of the Text

Some have inferred from the thief’s request that he must have believed in eternal security, rewards, or an eternal life guarantee. While these doctrines are true in their respective contexts, to insist they are required for salvation in this text would be to over-read what the passage actually conveys.

Luke’s Gospel presents the thief’s request as evidence of simple, childlike faith. He trusted that Jesus’ identity as the Christ was sufficient for his future hope. Jesus’ response confirmed that this recognition of who He was, combined with a humble plea, was enough. This shows that the thief’s faith wasn’t in his own merits, but in Jesus’ royal and redemptive role as the Christ.

It also deals with other views that tend to “add” to the simple belief in Jesus as the Christ, such as claims that one must also (to have salvation)

… give their life to Christ

… have a relationship with Jesus

… repent of (and turn from) their sin

… (take up their cross and) follow Jesus

… commit their life to Jesus

… make a choice for Jesus

… become a disciple of Jesus

… accept Jesus

… receive Jesus in their heart

… be invested in power by the Holy Spirit, and speak in tongues (usually erroneously called “baptism of the Spirit”).

Why Recognising Jesus as the Christ Is Sufficient

The New Testament’s emphasis is consistent with what we see here: faith in Jesus as the Christ is the foundation for salvation. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus calls people to believe in Him and recognise His role as the Christ, rather than to understand intricate doctrines or theological positions.

In John 11:27, for instance, Martha confesses her belief by saying, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” There is no mention of eternal security or an extensive doctrinal knowledge base. Her confession of Jesus as the Christ is presented as the faith that leads to life.

Similarly with Peter’s confession in Matthew 16:16. When Peter declares, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” Jesus responds with a blessing, affirming that this recognition of Jesus’ divine identity came through revelation from the Father. Jesus’ approval of Peter’s statement, without any additional requirement, underscores that knowing Jesus as the Christ is foundational. This confession of identity becomes the “rock” upon which Jesus builds His Church, signifying that a relationship with God is built upon faith in Jesus’ role as the Christ.

The Assurance of Life in Jesus’ Name

The thief’s story reinforces that salvation is based on one’s faith in Jesus’ identity as the Christ. This does not minimise the value of theological understanding; rather, it centres the essence of faith on Jesus’ identity. Recognising Jesus as the Christ is foundational and opens the door to understanding all that follows, but it does not demand prior knowledge of every doctrinal point.

In conclusion, the thief’s faith in Jesus’ kingship, expressed in his plea to be remembered, exemplifies the simple faith that saves. This faith rests on recognising Jesus as the Christ, God’s anointed King, who holds the power of life. Jesus’ words to the thief—“Today you will be with Me in Paradise”—validate the sufficiency of this faith.