Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Jorge Luis Borges' poem "Luke XXIII [Lucas]" is a reflective exploration of the brief, yet profound, interaction between Jesus and the thief crucified alongside him, as recounted in the Gospel of Luke. Through this encounter, Borges delves into themes of forgiveness, faith, and the mysterious workings of grace. The poem considers the thief’s final moments, the nature of his request for salvation, and the implications of his encounter with the divine.

The poem begins with a meditation on the thief's identity: "Gentile or Jew or simply a man / Whose face has been lost in time." Borges acknowledges the anonymity of the thief, whose name and personal history have been obscured by the passage of time. Despite this, the thief's encounter with Jesus has left an indelible mark on history, though the specifics of his life remain shrouded in mystery.

Borges questions what the thief might have known about forgiveness, describing him as "A thief whom Judea nailed to a cross." This characterization emphasizes the harsh reality of his situation—he was condemned and executed for his crimes, yet his ultimate fate was transformed in a moment of faith. Borges reflects on the lostness of those days and the world the thief inhabited, suggesting that the historical and cultural context of the time is now distant and almost forgotten.

The poem then shifts to the moment of crucifixion, where the thief "learned from the taunts of the crowd / That the man who was dying beside him / Was God." Borges imagines that the thief, perhaps initially unaware of who Jesus was, came to understand his divine identity through the derisive comments of the onlookers. This realization leads to the thief's simple, yet profound, plea: "Remember me when thou comest / Into thy kingdom."

In response to this plea, Borges highlights the "unimaginable voice / Which one day will judge us all," a reference to Jesus, who promises the thief Paradise. This exchange, brief as it is, carries immense theological significance. The thief's faith, expressed in a single sentence, is met with the promise of eternal salvation.

The poem emphasizes the simplicity and innocence of the thief's request, noting that "Nothing more was said / Between them before the end came." This silence underscores the profound nature of the encounter—no elaborate prayer or penance, just a heartfelt appeal met with divine mercy.

Borges concludes by reflecting on the nature of the thief's faith, describing it as "innocence" and "simplicity." He suggests that this very simplicity, which enabled the thief to ask for and receive Paradise, might have also driven him "time / And again to sin and to bloody crime." This final thought is intriguing and paradoxical—Borges seems to imply that the same straightforwardness that allowed the thief to accept divine grace without question might have also led him down a path of sin.

"Luke XXIII [Lucas]" is a meditation on the profound mystery of faith and grace. Borges uses the story of the thief on the cross to explore the themes of redemption and the transformative power of belief. The poem reflects on the paradoxes of human nature—the coexistence of sin and the capacity for faith—and the eternal significance of a single, sincere moment of connection with the divine. Through his characteristic blend of philosophical inquiry and poetic expression, Borges invites readers to consider the deep and often enigmatic workings of grace and the enduring impact of faith, even in the face of ultimate judgment.

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