Two Thieves - Luke 23:32-33, 39-43

Although Jesus’ execution is sudden, there are two other men crucified with him that probably knew it was coming to them for a while, “and there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death… one on the right hand, and the other on the left.” These guys were also identified as “thieves.” With all the other people walking around taunting Jesus, one of the thieves must have been encouraged by the idea that Jesus has some sort of extraordinary power and says, “If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.” He must have seen them as a “we’re all in it together” and was I guess hoping for the best. But the other man who was hanging there waiting to die with them had a complete opposite reaction. Whereas the first man saw Jesus as more of a “magic powers,” how can this work best for me, the second man crucified with him saw Jesus for who he truly was, the Son of God.

Before Jesus even has time to answer the first guy’s request, the second guy rebukes him saying, “Dost not thou hear 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.” JTC comments that the thief had been “softened into penitence by the Savior’s uncomplaining fortitude… His confession of guilt and his acknowledgement of the justice of his own condemnation led to incipient repentance, and to faith in the Lord Jesus, his companion in agony.” Turning to Jesus, the second thief says, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
The IM quotes “True to the Faith” as giving two separate definitions of “paradise.” The first way the word “paradise” is used “designates a place of peace and happiness in the postmortal spirit world, reserved for those who have been baptized and who have remained faithful.” For the second use of the word “paradise” the “The Prophet Joseph Smith explained that… the Lord actually said that the thief would be with Him in the world of spirits.” Whatever led these two men to live the lives of thieves, the super painful deaths were probably reflections of painful lives. I would imagine that whatever led them up to that moment in their lives, death would probably be a step forward for them. The IM quotes Elder Alain A. Petion as saying, “The Savior graciously answered and gave him hope. This criminal likely did not understand that the gospel would be preached to him in the spirit world or that he would be given an opportunity to live according to God in the spirit. Truly the Savior cared for the thief who hung beside Him; surely He cares greatly for those who love Him and strive to keep His commandments!”
I’ve always heard this account as “Jesus converted one of the thieves while he was on the cross” but that might be a little bit misleading. He wasn’t necessarily preaching the gospel while he hung there. We know that he was suffering for all of our sins again, so that wouldn’t have left him very much time or energy for teaching. But I guess that shows the power of a good example.