Luke 23:42 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom, х en (G1722) tee (G3588) basileia (G932) sou (G4675)] - rather, 'in thy kingdom;' that is, in the glory of it (Matthew 25:31; Luke 9:26). Let us analyze and study this marvelous petition. First, the "Kingdom" he meant could be no earthly one, But one beyond the grave; because it is inconceivable that he should have expected Him to come down from the cross to erect any temporal kingdom. Next, he calls this Christ's own Kingdom - "thy Kingdom." Then, he sees in Christ the absolute right to dispose of that Kingdom to whom He pleased. But further, he does not presume to ask a place in that kingdom-though no doubt that is what he means-but with a humility quite affecting, just says, "Lord, remember me when," etc. Yet was there mighty faith in that word. If Christ will but "think upon him" (Nehemiah 5:19), at that august moment when He "cometh in His kingdom," it will do. 'Only assure me that then Thou wilt not forget such a wretch as I, that once hung by Thy side, and I am content.' Now contrast with this bright act of faith the darkness even of the apostles' minds, who could hardly be gotten to believe that their Master would die at all, who now were almost despairing of Him, and who when dead had almost buried their hopes in His grave. Consider, too, the man's previous disadvantages and bad life. And then mark how his faith comes out-not in protestations, 'Lord, I cannot doubt-I am firmly persuaded that Thou art Lord of a kingdom-that death cannot disannul Thy, title nor impede the assumption of it in due time,' and so on-but as having no shadow of doubt, and rising above it as a question altogether, he just says, "Lord, remember me when thou comest," etc.-Was ever faith like this exhibited upon earth? It looks as if the brightest crown had been reserved for the Saviour's head at His darkest moment!