[Evangelist]

Oh, okay. So his cries don't have to be literal sobbing then. He could actually be crying for salvation. In that case, why do you still see it as weak? He's not crying because he didn't accept his punishment like the other guy, but because he wants salvation and feels like he deserves it? Is that still weak? Trying to get something you think you deserve/believe in at that moment.

Yes, I still believe it to be hugely weak. He tried to escape his punishment. Regardless of if it was literal crying or salvation.

I believe you clarified in the original post that the man was repenting to God. Which to me means that he wasn't trying to escape his punishment (death), but to get forgiveness to avoid Hell. I don't think he tried to escape his death penalty, but like I said, I haven't read he Bible.

There is no win or lose here. The main point is that he cried. While the other didn't.