Msgr. Pope new column Ping!
We don’t know. The story itself is very moving, and there is naturally a human tendency to want to know more. Thus traditions and legends often arise in cases like these. But the historical accuracy of such things is often difficult to assess. “St. Dismas” is a name that tradition supplies us in the Western Church.
Interesting though these traditions are, we sometimes miss the main point when biblical figures are not named. If you are prepared to accept it, you are the good thief who “steals heaven,” if you are willing to repent, take up your cross, be crucified with Jesus and persevere to the end, asking God’s mercy and admission to his kingdom.
The “good thief” was not so much good as he was smart.
He knew he was a sinner, justly condemned, and that his only hope was grace and mercy. Having repented, he turns to Jesus and in faith seeks his salvation. Jesus says, “No one who comes to me will I ever reject” (Jn 6:37). Thus he is saved. Smart!
Not so much "smart" but brought to repentance by the Holy Spirit
Saved by Christ with no baptism and no works ... Faith alone
The whole “smart” notion really reveals just how flawed the Romanists are. The difference between the person who does not believe and the person who does believe isn’t “intelligence,” lest we open the grounds for boasting. The difference is only one thing: Grace. Any other answer than this puts you on the Works-righteousness end of the Gospel, and thus reveals you to be an infidel and a Pharisee.
The REST of us: Christ's answer...