Jesus died on the cross, we know that. But, do we know what the thief's name was that Jesus talked to when both were on a cross? — Lynda of Grants Pass, Oregon.

Dear Lynda,

The Bible does not tell us the thieves' names. It just says that there were two of them, and that they were on both sides of Jesus.

The supposed names of these thieves appear in a book other than the Bible. This book, called the Gospel of Nicodemus, says their names were Dimas (the one on Jesus' right) and Gestas (the one on Jesus' left). It also says that Jesus talked to Dimas. But Lynda, the Gospel of Nicodemus is not inspired like the books of the Bible, so we can't be sure if these were their real names, or if they were just made up.

In any case, their names really aren't important, or the Bible would have recorded them. But it is important that Jesus forgave the thief when He changed. That shows how wonderful God's love is.