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NASB | Luke 23:43 And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Luke 23:43 Jesus said to him, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." [2 Cor 12:4; Rev 2:7] |
Bible Question:
In Luke 23:43, Jesus tells the thief "Truly I say to you, Today you shall be with me in paradise" If Jesus did not return to the Father until after the resurrection,(John 20:17) where is this paradise? |
Bible Answer: Dear Dana, the most comprehensive definition I could find that is at the same time fairly concise is this, taken from the Holman Bible Dictionary: Paradise - Old Persian term which means literally "enclosure" or "wooded park," used in the Old Testament to speak of King Artaxerxes' forest (Neh.2:8), and twice of orchards (Eccl.2:5; Song of Sol.4:13). All three New Testament occurrences (Luke 23:43; 2 Cor.12.4; Rev. 2:7) refer to the abode of the righteous dead (heaven). The Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) used "paradise" to translate the Hebrew words for the Garden of Eden in Genesis 2 - 3. Over the years the terms became synonymous, and eventually paradise came to refer to heaven. .....When Jesus in John 20:17 spoke to Mary Magdalene outside the tomb saying, "I have not yet ascended to the Father," He was speaking of His ascension that would take place 40 days hence. --Hank |