What are the Good Thief's words to Christ?

[NotWorthy]

I’ve noticed several translations differ on this.

In Luke23:42, the NAB and most other translations read:
Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

The KJV and the D/R both say:
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

Which is closer to the accurate translation? Did the good thief profess that Jesus is Lord? Or did he simply call Him by His Name?

 

[Fidelis]

The original Greek does not contain the word “Lord” (kyrios), and most modern translations do not include it. Older translations included it, probably (and I’m just speculating) because the translators felt that it was implied, probably by the context, tradition, or common textual usage in other Greek writing of the time.

 

[NotWorthy]

The original Greek does not contain the word “Lord” (kyrios), and most modern translations do not include it. Older translations included it, probably (and I’m just speculating) because the translators felt that it was implied, probably by the context, tradition, or common textual usage in other Greek writing of the time.

It doesn’t seem like it could be implied.

I had someone use this verse yesterday, claiming that the good thief professed that Jesus Is God, but I don’t see it, unless one used the D/R or the KJV.

Interesting. Thanks Fidelis!

 

[patrick457]

To expand on Fidelis’ comment:

This is a case of difference between textual traditions. One textual tradition has:

Mnēstheti mou, Kyrie, otan elthēs en tē basileia sou.
“Remember me, Lord, when you come in your kingdom.”

While another textual tradition contains:

Mnēstheti mou, otan elthēs eis tēn basileian sou.
“Remember me, when you come into your kingdom.”

The Codex Bezae interestingly (without any virtual support in any other MSS) has “Remember me in the day of your coming.”

 

[patrick457]

If I might add, the different readings (“in” and “into”) apparently emphasize quite different things. The “eis tēn basileian=into your kingdom” reading (so Papyrus 75, Codexes Vaticanus and Regius) could be interpreted as a reference to Jesus’ glorification and His entering into God’s right hand. The “en tē basileia=in your kingdom” reading (so Codexes Sinaiticus, Ephraemi Rescriptus, Washingtonianus, Coridethianus, Athous Lavrensis, Latin and Syriac translations, among others) meanwhile, looks forward to the Second Coming. The unique rendering of the Codex Bezae (“Remember me in the day of your coming”) brings more emphasis the latter view.

GREEK 1: Kai elegen Iēsou, “Mnēstheti mou, otan elthēs eis tēn basileian sou.” Kai eipen autō, “Amēn soi legō, sēmeron met’ emou esē en tō paradeisō.”

And he said to Jesus, “Remember me, when you come into your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

GREEK 2: Kai elegen tō Iēsou, “Mnēstheti mou, Kyrie, otan elthēs en tē basileia sou.” Kai eipen autō o Iēsous, “Amēn legō soi, sēmeron met’ emou esē en tō paradeisō.”

And he said to Jesus, “Remember me, Lord, when you come in your kingdom!” And Jesus said to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

CODEX BEZAE: Kai strapheis pros ton Kyrion eipen autō, “Mnēstheti mou, en tē himera tēs eleuseōs sou.” Apokritheis de o Iēsous eipen autō, “Tō eplēsonti tharsei, sēmeron met’ emou esē en tō paradeisō.”

And he turned to the Lord and said to Him, “Remember me in the day of your coming!” Jesus said in reply to him, “Take courage! today you will be with me in Paradise.”