Luke 23:40

Luke 23:40

The other criminal rebukes the first, urging him to fear God in light of their shared condemnation. This moment marks a turning point: recognition of divine judgment and the moral seriousness of sin. His rebuke presupposes a sense of personal accountability before God, even in the midst of a death sentence. Luke shows that fear of God (awe, reverence, moral seriousness) can arise tragically late, yet still become a path toward repentance. The line also sets up Jesus’ response to the next verse, where grace speaks into fear with mercy.

This exchange highlights two attitudes toward God in crisis: fear and faith. The man’s fear is not mere terror but a conscience awakened to divine holiness and judgment. It foreshadows the Gospel’s gift of grace offered to sinners who turn toward Jesus. Luke’s narrative emphasizes that salvation is not earned by behavior but received by faith in the crucified Christ. The contrast with the other criminal underscores that timing matters—grace is available, but responses differ.

When crisis hits, cultivate a holy “fear of God”—a reverent awareness of God’s holiness and our dependence on him. Practically, this means turning away from self-reliance and embracing confession, humility, and trust in Jesus’ mercy. In parenting, leadership, or personal life, model a posture of accountability before God, not perfectionism. If you’re feeling distant from faith, this verse invites you to consider, even in danger or weakness, whether you will respond with fear that leads to reverence or with hardened skepticism. Grace remains possible for those who cry out to Jesus even in the last moments.

Cross-References: Job 28:28; Proverbs 9:10; Luke 18:13-14