Which thief went to Paradise?
Question:
Several of my Christian friends and I were just wondering which thief on the cross believed that Jesus was indeed who He said He was and went to heaven? Does the Bible say if it was the thief on the right or the left of Jesus? I have searched the Bible and cannot find it. Not that it matters, but you know how it is when we get curious.
Answer:
You are correct in your observation: the Bible does not say which thief reviled Jesus and which went to Paradise. Not that ever stopped people from forming opinions and traditions. You will even find denominational writers ascribing names to the two robbers. But if God did not see fit to reveal this information and the eye-witnesses did not record these facts, then anything offered is an addition to the Bible. It stands condemned because it is not founded in truth. "Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar" (Proverbs 30:6).
Here is what the Bible does say about the two thieves:
<"Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left. ... Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing" (Matthew 27:38, 44).
"With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "And He was numbered with the transgressors." ... "Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him" (Mark 15:27-28,32).
"There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. ... Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise"" (Luke 23:32-33, 39-43).
"And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center" (John 19:17-18).
