- 12 - Biblical Problems     Dr Paul Kariamadom VC     "Today you will be with me in Paradise" (Lk 23:43)      
The verse,"Today you will be with me in Paradise" (Lk 23:43), which Jesus uttered while hanging on the cross, is seen only in St Luke's Gospel. These are also the very last words that Jesus spoke to a human being during his earthly life. It was a criminal who had the good fortune to speak last to Jesus. The Evangelist is presenting a picture of Jesus who loves sinners and saves them. This verse in the New Testament certainly creates a problem. How can the good thief enter paradise before the resurrection of Jesus? What does paradise mean? Such are the questions asked by readers.
 
  The meaning of paradise  
The word paradise is derived from the Persian "Pairidaeza". It means a garden enclosed. The meaning of the New Testament word paradise must be understood against the Old Testament background. In Genesis 2:8; 3:1-24;13:10 we read about the garden of Eden. The Greek translation of this garden is "Paradeisos". Paradise is a derivative of this word. Paradise was the place where our first parents dwelt in a sinless state in great happiness. In the New Testament the word acquires a deeper meaning.
 
The majority of scholars consider paradise as the kingdom of God where perfect bliss is enjoyed with Christ. For the Jews paradise and the garden of Eden are symbols of heavenly blessedness. In Ez 51:3, it is stated that the future glory and joy of Zion will be like the garden of God (Eden). In the apocryphal book of Enoch, Book I, the paradise of the righteous and in Book II, their eternal abode are described.
 
The favour the good thief requests is to be remembered in the kingdom of Jesus. The kingdom of Jesus is the eternal kingdom of heaven (2 Tim 4:18). This is paradise. The words "with me" denote the state of being eternally with Jesus. The meaning of these words of Jesus is just what St Paul tells us: after death we shall be with the Lord forever (cf I Thes 4:17; II Cor 5:8; Phil 1:23). The parables in Lk 12:16-20; 16:19-31 make it clear that after death the good will attain the kingdom of heaven while the wicked will be condemned to punishment. In Rev 2:7 also, Paradise and the tree of life stand as symbols of eternal life. Though the verse under consideration has associations of the earthly paradise of the book of Genesis, here, paradise is a state that bestows heavenly bliss. In Rev 2:11, we find that the righteous will not taste of a second death as the result of their fidelity. Paradise is the state of being with Jesus on his throne (cf Rev3:21). Rev 22:2 also speaks of the tree of life which is the symbol of eternal life. Jesus, who receives the good thief into paradise, gives back to man the paradise that was lost to him through the sin of Adam.
 
  Entry into paradise before Resurrection of Jesus?  
The meaning of the words "This day you'll be with me in paradise", is that the good thief enters heaven at the death of Jesus. In St Luke's Gospel, the word "this day" (emeron) has a deep meaning. It indicates the salvific "now" or "today" that began with the coming of Jesus. It is a great eschatological "today". Time, in its entirety, has become sacred after his advent. It is the time to repent and believe in the Gospel. The good thief is entering paradise more in an eschatological "today" than in a time-bound "today".
 
There is no irrelevance in Jesus promising paradise to the criminal even before his resurrection. It is clear in the Gospels that, with his death he entered into divine glory. The Evangelists depict his entry into the Father's glory as having taken place at different times. Even in the same gospel we find varied accounts. Particularly in the two volumes of St Luke, we find the account of Jesus' Ascension is presented as having occurred at different times. In the Gospel of St Luke this takes place on Resurrection Sunday itself (cf Lk 24:50-53). Whereas in the Acts it is seen to have taken place forty days after the Resurrection (cf Acts 1:3-11). The number 40 has a symbolic meaning in the Bible. In Luke 24:26, we understand that Jesus entered into the glory of his Father along with his passion. Quoting Ps 16:8-11 St Paul presents the same idea in Acts 2:27. He deals with this idea also in the epistle to the Hebrews (cf Heb 10:11-12).
 
In St John's Gospel also, the chief theme is that Christ was glorified on the Cross itself. In the last Gospel this matter is indicated in various ways, for example, Jn 3:14-15;8:28;12:32-34;13:1;16:28. At the same time, St John's Gospel states that the Ascension took place on the day of the Resurrection (cf Jn 20:17).
 
It is clear that the Evangelists did not hesitate to state that Jesus entered into the glory of his Father at different times in various manner. They explain the paschal mystery, from the time of the death of Jesus till Pentecost, according to the need of the early Christians, in a language they can comprehend, stage by stage and otherwise. We should not be surprised at this. For the timeless God all these events are the same. There is no doubt about the fact that with his death, Jesus entered in glory into a timeless state.
 
  Conclusion  
We do not have further information about who this good thief was. Who he was is not a matter of importance. What we need to see here is a disciple who attains the kingdom of heaven through repentance and suffering. St Luke makes it clear in Acts 14:22 also that we must enter into the kingdom of God through much tribulation. What Jesus foretold during his passion, namely, that those who suffer with him will be given a share of his kingdom (cf Lk 22:29-30), is being realised in the good thief.
 
On the cross we witness the epitome of Jesus' compassion and mercy. During his public life he went about forgiving sins and giving salvation to sinners (Lk 5:20; 5:48;19:1-10). Just before his crucifixion Jesus healed the ear of the servant of the High Priest. He showed compassion towards the daughters of Jerusalem and forgave his enemies. While hanging on the cross, he received the good thief into paradise and thus made it clear that he is the merciful Saviour and the righteous Judge. He accepted the challenge meant to ridicule him. Was he not the Messiah? "Let him save himself and them" (cf 23:39). He met the challenge by saving the good thief.
 
In the cry "Jesus" we see the criminal's repentance and his personal relationship with Jesus. We do not find in the gospels anyone approaching Jesus calling him by name. This incident is one which should lead sinners to repentance and to a personal, loving relationship with Jesus.Those who are steeped in sin need not despair. If they are sincere, Jesus will receive them into paradise and immerse them in the glory of the kingdom of God at the very moment of repentance.
 
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