And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The soldiers, focused on dividing Jesus' garments, were utterly unaware they were stripping their own Savior, fulfilling a prophecy of His intercession for those who didn't understand the magnitude of their actions. This detail underscores the profound disconnect between their mundane cruelty and the cosmic significance of the moment.
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Jesus is nailed to the cross, surrounded by mocking crowds and executing soldiers, he offers his first words from the cross, praying for the forgiveness of those responsible. Immediately following this profound act of grace, the Roman soldiers, treating him as already dead, divide his earthly possessions among themselves by casting lots for his garments.
While soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross, He didn't curse them. Instead, He prayed for their forgiveness. What does this teach us about true forgiveness?
Jesus' prayer, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do," is a radical act of grace. The commentary suggests that while the soldiers may have known they were crucifying an innocent man, they were ignorant of the full cosmic significance of their actions—that they were crucifying the Son of God.
While Jesus prayed for His executioners, those same soldiers were casually dividing His belongings. How does this stark contrast reveal the reality of human hearts?
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The verse presents a jarring juxtaposition: Jesus' profound act of intercession is immediately followed by the soldiers' mundane, almost callous, division of His garments by casting lots.
Understand the original words
aphiēmi · Greek Verb
The divine prerogative to remit debt or sin, releasing the offender from the penalty they deserve. It is based on Christ's atoning work and is a primary theme of the Gospel.
himation · Greek Noun
Long tunics worn as undergarments, the division of which by casting lots fulfills Old Testament prophecy regarding the Messiah’s suffering.
Jesus' prayer for forgiveness amid his own suffering highlights the profound ignorance of his persecutors regarding his divine identity and the cosmic significance of their actions.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Crucifixion
Jesus is crucified under Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, following a conviction by the Jewish Sanhedrin. Roman soldiers carry out the execution.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Prayer for Forgiveness
While on the cross, Jesus utters his first recorded words, praying for the forgiveness of those crucifying him, including Roman soldiers and Jewish leaders.
c. 30 AD
The Penitent Thief
One of the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus repents and asks Jesus to remember him, receiving a promise of paradise.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Commits His Spirit
Jesus entrusts his spirit to his Father before dying on the cross, fulfilling his mission.
c. 30 AD
Earthquake and Temple Veil Torn
As Jesus dies, a violent earthquake shakes the land, and the curtain in the Temple is torn in two, signifying a new access to God.
c. 30 AD
Centurion's Confession
The Roman centurion overseeing the crucifixion declares, 'Truly this man was innocent!' or 'Truly this was the Son of God!'
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Burial
Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy council member, requests Jesus' body and buries him in his own tomb.
This passage prophesies the Suffering Servant making 'intercession for the transgressors,' directly aligning with Jesus' prayer for His crucifiers in Luke 23:34.
Matthew 5:44Jesus' instruction to 'love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you' is powerfully exemplified by His own actions on the cross, showing His teaching and His life were one.
Acts 3:17Peter tells the crowd that 'through ignorance you did it, as did also your rulers,' echoing Jesus' words in Luke 23:34 and highlighting the theme of ignorance contributing to sin.
1 Corinthians 2:8This verse states that if the rulers of this age had understood the wisdom of God, they would not have crucified the 'Lord of glory,' reinforcing the idea that Jesus' crucifiers acted out of ignorance of His true identity.
Acts 7:59-60Stephen, in his martyrdom, prays similarly to Jesus, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!' and 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them,' demonstrating how Jesus' prayer on the cross became a model for His followers facing persecution.
clarkeLuke 23:34: "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots."
They know not what they do - If ignorance do not excuse a crime, it at least diminishes the atrocity of it. However, these persons well knew that they were crucifying an innocent man; but they did not know that, by this act of theirs, they were bringing down on themselves and on their country the heaviest judgments of God. In the prayer, Father, forgive them! that wor…
pulpitLuke 23:34: "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots."
Verse 34. - Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. These words are missing in some of the oldest authorities. They are found, however, in the majority of the most ancient manuscripts and in the most trustworthy of the old versions, and are undoubtedly genuine. These first of the seven words from the cross seem, from their position in th…
The soldiers, focused on dividing Jesus' garments, were utterly unaware they were stripping their own Savior, fulfilling a prophecy of His intercession for those who didn't understand the magnitude of their actions. This detail underscores the profound disconnect between their mundane cruelty and the cosmic significance of the moment.
As Jesus is nailed to the cross, surrounded by mocking crowds and executing soldiers, he offers his first words from the cross, praying for the forgiveness of those responsible. Immediately following this profound act of grace, the Roman soldiers, treating him as already dead, divide his earthly possessions among themselves by casting lots for his garments.
As Jesus is nailed to the cross, surrounded by mocking crowds and executing soldiers, he offers his first words from the cross, praying for the forgiveness of those responsible. Immediately following this profound act of grace, the Roman soldiers, treating him as already dead, divide his earthly possessions among themselves by casting lots for his garments.
"And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments." — The soldiers, focused on dividing Jesus' garments, were utterly unaware they were stripping their own Savior, fulfilling a prophecy of His intercession for those who didn't understand the magnitude o…
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Last reviewed October 2026