The Penitent thief, also known as the Thief on the Cross or the Good Thief, is an unnamed character mentioned in the Gospel of Luke who was crucified alongside Jesus and asked Jesus to remember him in his kingdom, unlike his companion the Impenitent thief.
In different Christian traditions different names have been given to the thief:
- In the Arabic First Infancy Gospel he is called Titus, and the impenitent thief Dumachus.
- In the Gospel of Nicodemus and Catholic tradition the name Dismas is given to the thief. He was never canonized by the Catholic Church but is venerated as a saint by local traditions as Saint Dismas (sometimes spelled "Dysmas" or in Spanish "Dimas"). The name Dismas for this thief may date back to the 4th century.
- In Coptic Orthodox tradition he is named Demas.
- In Codex Colbertinus he is named Zoatham.
- In Russian Orthodox tradition he is named Rach.
Read more about Penitent Thief: Prayer of The Good Thief
Famous quotes containing the word thief:
“In ancient times—’twas no great loss—
They hung the thief upon the cross:
But now, alas!—I say’t with grief—
They hang the cross upon the thief.”
—Anonymous. “On a Nomination to the Legion of Honour,” from Aubrey Stewart’s English Epigrams and Epitaphs (1897)