--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A dying man asked a dying man for eternal…" description: "\"“A dying man asked a dying man for eternal life; a man without possessions asked a poor man for a Kingdom; a thief at the door of death asked to die li..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b4/fulton-j-sheen-675_calvary_a-dying-man-asked-a-dying-man-for-eterna_2271035.jpg" --- # A dying man asked a dying man for eternal life; a man… ![“A dying man asked a dying man for eternal life; a man without possessions asked a poor man for a Kingdom; a thief at the door of death asked to die like a thief and steal Paradise. One would have thought a saint would have been the first soul purchased over the counter of Calvary by the red coins…” quote by Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b4/fulton-j-sheen-675_calvary_a-dying-man-asked-a-dying-man-for-eterna_2271035.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b4/fulton-j-sheen-675_calvary_a-dying-man-asked-a-dying-man-for-eterna_2271035.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b4/fulton-j-sheen-675_calvary_a-dying-man-asked-a-dying-man-for-eterna_2271035.jpg) > ““A dying man asked a dying man for eternal life; a man without possessions asked a poor man for a Kingdom; a thief at the door of death asked to die like a thief and steal Paradise. One would have thought a saint would have been the first soul purchased over the counter of Calvary by the red coins of Redemption, but in the Divine plan it was a thief who was the escort of the King of kings into Paradise. If Our Lord had come merely as a teacher, the thief would never have asked for forgiveness. But since the thief's request touched the reason of His coming to earth, namely, to save souls, the thief heard the immediate answer: 'I promise thee, this day thou shalt be With Me in Paradise' (Luke 23:43) It was the thief's last prayer, perhaps even his first. He knocked once, sought once, asked once, dared everything, and found everything. When even the disciples were doubting and only one was present at the Cross, the thief owned and acknowledged Him as Saviour.”” [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The repentant thief’s request for mercy illustrates that even the most sinful can receive salvation through sincere repentance and faith at the moment of death. **In simple terms:** Even a thief can be saved by sincere repentance. Key Takeaway Embrace humility and seek forgiveness. Themes redemption faith humility salvation grace spiritual transformation Mood hopeful inspirational Type religious theological When to use this quote - life‑changing decisions - spiritual crises - final moments - ethical dilemmas - personal redemption Key Concepts theology forgiveness Christian doctrine miracle afterlife Questions to Reflect On - How does genuine repentance change a person's destiny? - What does this story say about divine justice? A Different Perspective Some may argue that salvation requires more than a single moment of repentance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Asked Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asked-forgiveness-495750/) [Calvary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calvary/) [Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christ/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Eternal life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternal-life/) [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Forgiveness Thief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness-thief-5263165/) [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jesus/) [Kingdom Thief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kingdom-thief-5263166/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Paradise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradise/) [Poor man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poor-man/) [Repentance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/repentance/) [Salvation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/salvation/) [The-cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/the-cross/) [Thief Asked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thief-asked-2483138/) [Thief Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thief-prayer-5263164/) ## Related quotes > [“Do you know why a vandal is worse than a thief?" asked the man on the right, in a soft growl. 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