[Elsie]

Unless sleeping is equivalent with Paradise, the thief didn’t sleep either.

HMMMmmm...

Psalm 116:15
Precious in the eyes of Jehovah is the death for His saints.

[Resettozero]

Unless sleeping is equivalent with Paradise, the thief didn’t sleep either.

Have given this two smidgens of consideration during a long lunch break and there are several ways to go in responding.

Jesus died shortly after saying that to the thief, who may have outlived Jesus on Planet Earth. (His legs had to be broken.) Whether Paradise existed in or out of the realm of time or in Eternity is not something you and I know based on Scripture and can only surmise. So...WHEN is "this day" with Jesus and WHERE is Paradise.

Another response would relate to the fact that whatever Jesus indicated would happen, DID happen, regardless the laws of physics as we so poorly understand them. Wine from water jugs, water-walking, storm-ceasing, bread and fish multiplying beyond all reason (and with a surplus besides), and, raising from the dead on the third day as promised. The thief will be saved from the second death and will be with Jesus "this day" in Paradise. Could be still asleep in Christ's promise, as are so many Saints previous to us.