Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:42-43
Events up until the cross and for a period just following occurred before the dispensation of grace.
I'm guessing that there may be something lost in the translation. “...today you will be with me in paradise.”
Probably meant more like “Your faith today has saved you and I'll see you in heaven.”
Seeing as Jesus went to hell that day. “Hey - I thought you said this would be paradise!?”
“Well - as a criminal I figured you would be happy to be down here with all of your other friends! You don't really think I'd let you get up into heaven without being baptized do you!!”