“Buy a clue.”
What proof do you have that he had know previous knowlege of Christ or his coming kingdom...
What proof do you have that this thieif couldn’t have been taught by John the Baptist or one of his followers?
What proof do you have that this man couldn’t have been a follower and then fell away?
You want me to buy a clue......hmmmmm....!
“It ought to tell you something......”
It tells me that the thief recognized Christ as the savior of the world and he repented and wanted saving.
Scripture is silent on the issue so one cannot presume that the thief who was being executed for crimes had done enough good works to merit heaven.
Then there's this account....
Luke 18 9He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10"Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' 13But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' 14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."