When he heard the sneering words of his companion in crime, he “rebuked him, saying, Dost thou not fear 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.” Then, as his heart went out to Christ, heavenly illumination flooded his mind. In Jesus, bruised, mocked, and hanging upon the cross, he saw his Redeemer, his only hope, and appealed to him in humble faith: “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom! And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee today, [By placing the comma after the word today, instead of after the word thee, as in the common versions, the true meaning of the text is more apparent.] shalt thou be with me in Paradise.” {3SP 157.1}

Da han hørte sin medskyldige spottende ord, straffede han ham og sagde: "Frygter end ikke du Gud, skønt du er under den samme dom? Og vi er det med rette; vi får jo kun løn som forskyldt; men denne mand har intet ondt gjort." (40.,41.vers) Idet han vendte sig til Kristus kom himmelsk lys ind i hans hjerte. Han så, at Kristus, som hang mishandlet og foragtet på korset, var hans Forløser, hans eneste håb, og han vendte sig til ham med ydmyg tro og sagde: "Jesus! kom mig i hu, når du kommer i dit rige!" Og Jesus svarede ham: "Sandelig siger jeg dig: i dag skal du være med mig i Paradis." (42.,43.vers)