Luke 23:39

The first criminal (robber, Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27) joined the mockery of others around the cross by implying Jesus’ inability to save Himself and His fellow sufferers. He was bitterly sarcastic of Jesus. [Note: Morris, p. 328.] His verbal abuse constituted blasphemy (Gr. eblasphemei). Blasphemy is essentially impious irreverence and defamation. Obviously this man did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah. Luke may have intended this criminal’s action as a warning to his readers not to do the same thing. Refusing to take Jesus’ claims seriously constitutes blasphemy of Him.

"When the two malefactors were hanged beside the Lord, the one was no better than the other. . . . It is only the grace of God in the cross of Christ that can instantly transform a reviling sinner into an attitude of saving faith and confession. The repentant thief began to see (1) the justice of his own punishment (Luke 23:41); (2) the sinless character of Christ (Luke 23:41); (3) the Deity of Christ (Luke 23:42); (4) a living Christ beyond the grave (Luke 23:42); and (5) a kingdom beyond the cross, with Jesus as its coming King (Luke 23:42)." [Note: The New Scofield . . ., p. 1119.]