In the Greek there is no punctuation. The punctuation is supplied by the translator. In the above sentence, what if the comma belongs after the word, "today?" This would have Jesus saying, "Truly I say to you today, you will be with me in paradise." This gives the statement a whole 'nother meaning, don't it? What, you may ask, is your justification for putting the comma after the word, "today"?

 

First of all, what kind of justification can YOU give for putting the comma after "you"? Especially in light of the conflicts it creates with many, many other scriptures concerning the nature of man and what happens to him at death (given previously), as well as the general Hebraic paradigm on this subject?

 

But to answer the question in a positive manner: "I say to you today / I declare to you today / I tell you now" and the like, is a very common Biblical expression.

 

• Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. (Acts 20:26).

• But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:27)

• I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3)

• He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out. (Luke 19:40)

• I tell you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. (John 13:19)

• Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished... (John 21:18)

 

The best comparison is Acts 20:26 "I declare to you today..." That's exactly what Jesus said on the cross, "I say to you today..."

 

Secondly, when Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene on the morning of his resurrection, he said, "...I have not yet ascended to the father..." So, in fact, Jesus himself did NOT go to paradise THAT DAY - the day of his death. Where did Jesus go THAT DAY? 

 

Mathew 12:40:  For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

 

Jesus himself tells us that he did not go to heaven, he went into "the heart of the earth" - i.e. the grave.

 

With that in mind, we can see how Psalm 16:10 is applied to Jesus by Peter on the day of Pentecost:

 

• Psalm 16:10: For thou dost not give me up to Sheol (the grave), or let thy godly one see the Pit.

• Acts 2:27: For thou wilt not abandon my soul to Hades (the grave), nor let thy Holy One see corruption.

 

If Jesus went into the "heart of the earth" - the grave - for three days, how then could he promise the thief that he would be with him in Paradise THAT DAY? The same day of his death?

 

Thirdly, Jesus was telling the thief that he (the thief) would be in Paradise with him (Jesus). WHEN will that occur? Notice the thief's supplication that triggered Jesus' promise: "Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom!" 

 

Did Jesus come in his kingdom THAT DAY? Nope, he went straight into "the heart of the earth." So the implication is that Jesus was actually saying, "You will be with me in Paradise - when I come in my kingdom."

 

Do a study on "Paradise." You'll find that it generally refers to a place ON EARTH. When Jesus comes in his kingdom, he (and his kingdom) will be ON EARTH.

 

So if we put the comma after, "you" as most translators have, we are ignoring and thereby creating conflict with what John says, what Peter says, and what Jesus himself says. He did not go to Paradise that day, he went to Sheol - the grave. Therefore the comma should be placed after, "today".

 

Truly I say to you today, you will be with me in paradise.