Even murderers can meet salvation — they thereby become ex-murderers.
Jesus sets the threshold for murder pretty low. Hate your neighbor (not what he did, but the neighbor himself) in your heart? Cut him down gratuitously? Murder.
I think the way to term it is this.
Jesus sets the threshold of our hearts, very high.
He knew the man on the cross was speaking from his.
He was expressing belief, faith, and repentance.
I agree that you don’t have to commit murder to be guilty of it.
It’s why I advocate for the death penalty when someone shoots another person with intent to kill. They committed the act.