And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

LUKE 23:41KJV
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Luke 23:41 (KJV)

What does Luke 23:41 mean?

Luke 23:41 records one of the criminals crucified beside Jesus admitting that he and the other criminal are being punished fairly for their crimes, but insisting that Jesus has done nothing wrong. This verse highlights the criminal’s recognition of his own guilt and Jesus’s innocence.

The speaker is one of the two men being crucified with Jesus. He is addressing the other criminal, who had just mocked Jesus, and he openly acknowledges that their punishment is deserved because of their actions. In contrast, he defends Jesus by declaring that Jesus has committed no wrongdoing, setting Jesus apart even in this moment of suffering.

The Greek behind Luke 23:41

  • δικαίως (dikaiōs, "justly"): This word means "justly" or "rightly," showing that the criminal accepts the fairness of his own punishment.
  • ἄτοπον (atopon, "amiss"): This word means "out of place," "wrong," or "improper." The criminal uses it to stress that Jesus has done nothing deserving of punishment—not just a minor mistake, but nothing at all out of order.
  • ἀπολαμβάνομεν (apolambanomen, "we receive"): This verb means "we are receiving" or "we are getting back," emphasizing that their punishment is the direct result of their own actions.

Why Luke 23:41 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that Jesus was crucified for his own wrongdoing; even a condemned criminal recognizes Jesus’s innocence.
  • The contrast between the criminals’ guilt and Jesus’s innocence is made explicit, deepening the sense of injustice in Jesus’s execution.
  • The verse sets up the following moment, where the criminal turns to Jesus in faith, making his confession of guilt and Jesus’s innocence a turning point in the narrative.

Where else these words appear

“amiss” Greek G824 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 28:6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

“justly” Greek G1346 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
  • Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

“receive” Greek G618 · used in 11 verses

  • Mark 7:33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;
  • Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
  • Galatians 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

“deeds” Greek G4238 · used in 36 verses

  • Luke 3:13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
  • Acts 19:19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
  • Romans 2:25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.