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Summary
- The names Gestas and Dismas are not found in the Bible – they come from later Christian tradition and apocryphal texts (particularly the Gospel of Nicodemus from the 4th century). The Bible simply refers to them as "thieves" or "criminals" crucified alongside Jesus.
- According to Luke's Gospel, one thief (traditionally identified as Dismas) repented and asked Jesus to remember him, receiving the promise "Today you will be with me in paradise." The other thief (traditionally identified as Gestas) mocked Jesus. This contrast became a powerful symbol of humanity's choice to either accept or reject Christ.
- The Gospel of John records that the Romans broke the legs of both thieves to hasten their deaths (a practice called crurifragium), but Jesus was already dead when they came to him. Their bodies were likely removed before the Sabbath and buried in common graves for executed criminals.
- The Church Fathers, particularly Augustine and John Chrysostom, used these figures to teach about repentance, divine mercy, and judgment. While these theological interpretations are meaningful, it's important to distinguish between biblical accounts and later traditions about these men.
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