Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
What does Luke 23:34 mean?
As soon as Christ was fastened to the cross, he prayed for those who crucified him. The great thing he died to purchase and procure for us, is the forgiveness of sin.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside Luke 23:34-38 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Luke 23:34
And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. Father, forgive them - This is a fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 53:12 ; "He made intercession for the transgressors." The prayer was offered for those who were guilty of putting him to death. It is not quite certain whether he referred to the "Jews" or "to the Roman soldiers." Perhaps he referred to both. The Romans knew not what they did, as they were really ignorant that he was the Son of God, and as they were merely obeying the command of their rulers.
Key words
- are doing
-
are doing. See Gill on Matthew 27:35 . See Gill on John 19:23 . See Gill on John 19:24 .
- Jesus
-
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them,.
- Father
-
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them,.
Context in Luke 23
Show chapter context
Luke 23 belongs to the late movement of the book, especially the section often described as passion, resurrection, and ascension. Luke emphasizes salvation for the poor and the outsider, prayer, joy, women, table fellowship, the Holy Spirit, and the universal reach of Christ’s mission. Read this chapter with the wider themes of salvation, Spirit, and prayer in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
Explore by topic
Passages on asking, persistence, confession, dependence, and the way prayer shapes Christian life and attention.
Bible verses about justice and mercy
Key texts on public righteousness, neighbor-love, social ethics, compassion, and the prophetic refusal to separate worship from justice.
Bible verses about forgiveness
A reading list on divine pardon, repentance, reconciliation, and the demand to forgive others because God has first forgiven.
Central texts on sin, grace, faith, Christ’s saving work, and the Bible’s announcement that salvation is received rather than achieved.
Who quoted Luke 23:34?
Find out who used Luke 23:34 in their speeches and writings. Which famous people quoted Luke 23:34?
Quotes found on Wikiquote (match for «Father forgive them»):
Apocatastasis · Ben-Hur (1959 film) · Eliphas Levi · Forgiveness · Good Friday · House of Cards (season 3) · Ignatius Loyola Mascarenhas · Ignorance · John Rucyahana · Kahlil Gibran · Miguel de Unamuno · Nkandu Luo · Passion of Jesus · Pele-joez-el-gibbor-abi-ad-sar-shalom · Pope John Paul I · The Passion of the Christ