Introduction: Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do
When Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” Luke 23:34 KJV, He wasn’t whispering a general sentiment. He was making a divine statement—one layered with mercy, justice, and purpose.
But who exactly was the “them” He was asking the Father to forgive? And did they truly not know what they were doing? Was the forgiveness meant for everyone?
These questions dig deep into the heart of what happened at the cross—and why it still matters today.
Who Were the “Them”?
Let’s break it down.
- The Roman soldiers — They nailed Him to the cross, mocked Him, beat Him, and gambled for His clothing. But they likely didn’t know who they were crucifying. To them, He was just another condemned man in need of forgiveness.
- The Jewish leaders — They orchestrated His arrest and held sham trials. Though they had access to the Scriptures and witnessed His miracles, they saw Jesus as a threat to their authority, not as the Messiah. Still, He said, “Forgive them for they know not what they do.”
- The crowd — They shouted “Crucify Him!”—many of the same voices who had praised Him just days earlier. Caught up in mob influence and misled by their leaders, they rejected their Deliverer. Yet, Jesus extended that plea: “Forgive them for they know not what they do.”
- Pontius Pilate — He declared Jesus innocent but chose political safety over justice. He knew Jesus had done no wrong, but he didn’t grasp who he was condemning.
- Herod — He mocked Jesus and treated Him as a joke, blinded by arrogance. If ignorant, it was a willful, hardened ignorance.
- Judas — This one is complex. Perhaps he acted out of greed. But some believe Judas was trying to force Jesus’ hand—hoping that betrayal would spark a dramatic rise. If so, his error wasn’t just betrayal, but misunderstanding Jesus entirely.
- The disciples — They scattered in fear. Even after walking with Jesus, they didn’t comprehend the weight of the moment until after the resurrection.
Summarizing Why People Rejected Him
It wasn’t just confusion. Rejection came from a mix of pride, fear, and false expectations:
- He didn’t fit their mold. They expected a political Messiah, not a suffering servant.
- He threatened their power. His authority exposed their corruption.
- He disrupted their economy. Cleansing the temple cut into their profits.
- He claimed to be God. To them, that was blasphemy.
- He came from Nazareth. He lacked status and pedigree.
- He was too popular. His following made them insecure.
- Even Judas may have thought he was helping Jesus fulfill a kingdom role or accelerate prophecy. But even if he believed that, he still betrayed innocent blood—and perhaps didn’t grasp that he was betraying the Son of God.
So Who Was the Forgiveness For?
So when Jesus said “them,” we believe He meant all of them—from soldiers to Sanhedrin, from governors to disciples. Some were deceived. Some were blind. All were guilty. But none fully understood the weight of their actions. Still, He cried, “Forgive them for they know not what they do.”
“Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” — 1 Corinthians 2:8
Paul’s words likely refer to both earthly rulers and spiritual forces—the kind of layered meaning Jesus Himself often used. The true rulers of this world, the unseen realm, didn’t grasp that in killing Christ, they were setting in motion their own defeat.
But Paul’s words were layered with meaning. So, equally true and relevant to this article, the human Jewish and Roman rulers were ignorant to who Jesus was and certainly would not have crucified him had they known he was the Son of God.
So Jesus’ declaration to the Father to “Forgive them for they know not what they do” was Jesus’ way of saying that despite all that he had suffered, he was still going through with his plan to redeem the world.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” — John 3:16
Was Jesus Offering Automatic Forgiveness?
It’s important to understand that Jesus’ prayer—“Forgive them for they know not what they do”—was not a declaration of automatic forgiveness. Instead, it reveals the deep mercy of God, paired with the necessary condition of response.
Let’s break it down:
- It was a delay of judgment. Jesus wasn’t asking for justice to be thrown out—He was asking for time. Time for people to realize what they had done and repent.
- It was mercy in the face of ignorance. Many truly did not grasp who Jesus was. They didn’t know they were crucifying the Son of God.
- It was an invitation, not a guarantee. Forgiveness was made available, but it still had to be received—through repentance and faith in Jesus.
- It opened the door to salvation. Acts 2 shows how that door was walked through. Peter told the same people who cried “Crucify Him” to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins.
- It’s why Judas was not saved. Though he confessed his sin and felt remorse, Judas did not seek forgiveness. He died in despair rather than in repentance.
The door Jesus opened with that prayer—“Forgive them for they know not what they do”—led straight to Pentecost, but only those who stepped through it were saved.
Final Reflection
This article doesn’t just explore history. It holds a mirror to our own hearts.
Because we too were in that crowd. We too have misunderstood Him, betrayed Him, denied Him. And yet, He still prays:
“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
Not because we’re innocent, but because Jesus, though persecuted, came to fulfill his mission to offer the world forgiveness. People do not know what they do to themselves when they don’t accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.
And the cross is still open.
This is your call to repent.
Don’t assume ignorance justifies anything. Come into the light. Receive the mercy He freely offers. Let the blood He shed speak over your life:
“Forgiven.”