When Jesus was on the cross, He spoke to the thief beside Him and said:
"Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43)
This verse is often misunderstood, so let’s break it down using the languages Jesus spoke—Aramaic and Hebrew.
1. What Language Did Jesus Speak?
Jesus spoke Galilean Aramaic, a common language among Jews in first-century Israel. He also knew Hebrew, which was used for reading the Scriptures.
2. What is "Paradise" in Aramaic and Hebrew?
The word for "paradise" in Jesus’ time was "Gan Eden" (גַּן־עֵדֶן) in Hebrew, meaning "the Garden of Eden." In Aramaic, it was "Paradesa" (פַּרְדֵּסָא), a borrowed word from Persian. This was a place of peace and rest for the righteous, not hell or punishment.
3. How Would Jesus Have Said It?
In Aramaic, Jesus likely said something like:
"Amén, I tell you, today you will be with me in Gan Eden."
This means Jesus was promising the thief a place of rest, not Gehenna (hell) or Sheol (the grave).
4. Does "Today" Mean Immediate Entry?
Some debate whether Jesus meant "Today, I tell you" or "Today, you will be with me." In Hebrew and Aramaic, sentence structure could emphasize the importance of the statement, rather than the timing of when it happens.