could this mean

[dodrill]

could this mean today we repent of our sins and change our ways we will be in paradise
Luke 23:43
Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."
how amazing is this

[Rhys 🕊]

I understand it as today - I tell you this today and not today you will be with me

http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,4646.msg35677.html#msg35677

There was no punctuation in the original manuscripts from which our modern
    language bibles have been translated. Not that punctuation did not exist in
    the SPOKEN language, but it was not put into the written language. Hence,
    the very placement of a simple coma (,) can totally change the meaning of
    statement:  Even in speaking, we can place comas and change emphasis.
    Example:  "What's that up in the road ahead?" Versus:  "What's that up in
    the road, a head?"
     
    Here is this same verse from a few other translations:
     
    "Verily, to you am I saying today,  with Me SHALL YOU BE [at a future time] in paradise"
    (Concordant Literal New Testament).
     
    "And he said unto him—Verily, I say unto thee this day: With me, shalt thou be in Paradise"
    (Rotherham's Emphasized Bible).


And to keep it lighthearted I will say Jesus is cool today and today I tell you, Jesus is cool

Rhys

[dodrill]

its not the comma placement that is interesting to me but the description of paradise - and no I don't need 40 virgins
I just think Jesus was saying while He was very much alive and in agony - the attitude of the 'thief' next to Him - made it possible to see/enter paradise NOW
he repented

[dodrill]

The more I think about this wonderful statement of truth - the more I see - its not about punctuation and being grammatical - but it is a realization - yes in concept
Today - this day - any day - all day - now
paradise ?? what is this ?? relieved from this temporary grief of our flesh / sins and self loathing hate and all guilt and conscience to pay - yes we will
it is continuum - a bridge we all walk across with attitude of heart
when God's judgements are on us - we will learn righteousness - I'm hoping this is now in my faculty of consciousness
this place is beautiful right now

[dodrill]

Sorry -  I love this life and the people and animal in it - I see it as paradise - not perfect - but a world waiting to be born