Luke 23:34

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Then {G1161} said {G3004} Jesus {G2424}, Father {G3962}, forgive {G863} them {G846}; for {G1063} they know {G1492} not {G3756} what {G5101} they do {G4160}. And {G1161} they parted {G1266} his {G846} raiment {G2440}, and cast {G906} lots {G2819}.

Yeshua said, “Father, forgive them; they don’t understand what they are doing.”

They divided up his clothes by throwing dice.

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.

And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And parting his garments among them, they cast lots.

Commentary on Luke 23:34 (KJV)

Luke 23:34 presents one of the most profound and moving declarations of Jesus Christ from the cross. Amidst unimaginable suffering, Jesus utters a prayer that encapsulates the very essence of divine love and forgiveness. The verse then immediately contrasts this sublime moment with the callous actions of the soldiers.

Context

This verse is set during the horrific event of Jesus' crucifixion, a pivotal moment in Christian theology. Having been unjustly condemned by both Jewish religious authorities and Roman governor Pontius Pilate, Jesus is nailed to the cross between two criminals. The scene is one of immense pain, public humiliation, and mockery. The Roman soldiers, who were carrying out the execution, were likely accustomed to such brutality, viewing Jesus simply as another condemned man. The crowd, some curious, some hostile, watched on. It is in this environment of cruelty and indifference that Jesus speaks these words, demonstrating extraordinary compassion in the face of extreme injustice. The subsequent action of the soldiers parting his garments fulfills an ancient prophecy, highlighting the meticulous fulfillment of God's plan even in human sin and negligence.

Key Themes

  • Divine Forgiveness: The central theme is Jesus' unparalleled act of forgiveness. He prays not for judgment upon His tormentors, but for their pardon. This prayer extends to the Roman soldiers, the Jewish leaders, and indeed, all humanity who contributed to His suffering through their sin. It is a powerful illustration of God's willingness to forgive those who repent, even for the gravest offenses. This echoes Jesus' earlier teachings on loving one's enemies and praying for those who persecute you, as seen in Matthew 5:44.
  • Ignorance and Spiritual Blindness: Jesus' statement, "for they know not what they do," points to a degree of spiritual ignorance among those crucifying Him. While their actions were undeniably wicked, many did not fully comprehend the cosmic significance of crucifying the Son of God. This concept of ignorance is also addressed by Peter in his sermon in Acts 3:17, where he acknowledges that the people and their rulers acted out of ignorance.
  • Prophecy Fulfilled: The detail about the soldiers parting His raiment and casting lots is a direct fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, specifically Psalm 22:18: "They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture." This demonstrates God's sovereignty and the meticulous unfolding of His redemptive plan, even down to the seemingly mundane actions of common soldiers.
  • Contrast of Divine Love and Human Callousness: The verse starkly contrasts Jesus' sublime prayer of intercession with the mundane, self-serving actions of the soldiers gambling for His clothes. This juxtaposition highlights the depth of divine love and mercy against the backdrop of human indifference and sin.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "forgive" is aphiēmi (ἀφίημι), which means to "send away," "let go," or "release." It implies a complete cancellation of debt or offense, emphasizing the gracious nature of Jesus' plea. The phrase "they know not what they do" uses the Greek verb oidasin (οἴδασιν), which refers to an experiential or intuitive knowledge, suggesting a profound lack of understanding regarding the true identity of Jesus and the monumental nature of their actions.

Practical Application

Luke 23:34 offers a profound example for believers today:

  • Embrace Forgiveness: Jesus' prayer challenges us to extend forgiveness even to those who cause us deep pain and suffering. It encourages us to release bitterness and resentment, following Christ's example of unconditional love.
  • Pray for Persecutors: Just as Jesus prayed for His enemies, we are called to pray for those who despitefully use or persecute us. This transformative act can shift our perspective and open pathways for God's grace. A similar prayer is offered by Stephen in Acts 7:60.
  • Recognize Ignorance: Understanding that some hurtful actions may stem from ignorance or spiritual blindness can help us respond with compassion rather than immediate condemnation.
  • Trust God's Sovereignty: The fulfillment of prophecy in the division of Jesus' garments reminds us that God is sovereign over all circumstances, even the darkest moments of human history. His plan will always prevail.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 5:44

    But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

  • Acts 7:60

    And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

  • 1 Peter 3:9

    Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

  • 1 Peter 2:20

    For what glory [is it], if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer [for it], ye take it patiently, this [is] acceptable with God.

  • 1 Peter 2:23

    Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously:

  • Romans 12:14

    Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

  • Luke 6:27

    But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

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