You may have heard the Bible phrase, "Father, forgive them," but did you know this was actually from Jesus when He was on the Cross?
The ESV translation of Luke 23:34 says, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” These were the first of our Lord’s final words upon the cross, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke.
What a powerful response to Jesus, an innocent man (1 Peter 2:22), being hanged and condemned upon a Roman crucifix. It is a method of death that historians can only sum up as the most humiliating, cruel, and wretched way to die.
What we see spoken in the midst of such things is a small yet mighty prayer. Its significance is magnified as these words of compassion and pity reach the ears of Jesus’ own executioners — Roman Soldiers below who were unphased by the peripheral bodies, fatally traumatized and exposed.
Beyond those whose responsibility it was to carry out a death sentence, Jesus’ prayer was also spoken in sight of the very Israelites who plotted to take His life in the first place.
His own kinsmen had just finished beating Him, mocking Him, and spitting in His face before handing Him over to the Roman guard.
These men were the ones who vehemently insisted on Jesus’ guilt despite lacking any such verdict in the court (Luke 23:14-15). Still, they persisted, “Crucify Him!” (John 19:6)
Even though they were not the ones physically driving the spikes that affixed Christ to the cross, the Apostle Peter later says in Acts 2:23 that they indeed were the men who crucified and killed Him, continuing that their insistence was due to ignorance (Acts 3:17). For this reason, it is likely that Jesus also had them in mind as He said, “They know not what they do.”
What Did Jesus Mean When He Said "Father, Forgive Them"?
Luke 23:34 is part of the account of Jesus' crucifixion. In Luke 23:34 (NIV), Jesus says from the cross: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
This is considered a powerful expression of Jesus' compassion and forgiveness, even in the midst of his suffering, asking for mercy for those who were involved in his crucifixion. It reflects Jesus' teachings on love and forgiveness, emphasizing the transformative nature of forgiveness even in the face of betrayal and injustice.
In light of what is known about the process of ancient Roman crucifixion, it’s incredible to think that the world’s Greatest Defender was not once found to be defending his own innocence or even returning an angry word upon His deserving accusers.
Rather, the One who came to save, having Himself been forsaken by God in this moment (Mark 15:34), was found interceding for the souls that put Him there, pleading that they themselves would not also be found forsaken.
But why?
We only need to look at the surrounding context of Scripture to see there are quite a few reasons Jesus would pray a petitioning prayer of forgiveness the way he did. Let’s look at some of them now.
How Did Christ Forgive His Crucifiers?
Jesus, born of God, into the flesh of man, was without the sinful nature of man (Luke 1:35). One result of his truly holy nature, within His own humanity, was the fact that He did not and could not live within the bondage of things like resentment, bitterness, hatred, or even self-centeredness.
His prayer was the prayer of a free man, someone who isn’t controlled by an automatic sin-filled and emotionally charged response. This resulted in a prayer of unadulterated forgiveness despite a lack of remorse or acknowledgment of sin from His offenders.
For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens (Hebrews 7:26).
Jesus, Himself, free from sin and its consequences, is forever an advocate of sinners (1 John 2:1), always living to intercede (Hebrews 7:25). And as the only mediator between God and men, it makes sense that Jesus does just that, by praying for those who had sinned against God (1 Timothy 2:5).
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me” (John 6:38).
Jesus came as a man with a purpose, which included doing away with the excuse of ignorance (Acts 17:30). Beyond that, He came knowing that He would suffer (Acts 3:18) and that He had to die for those who were still sinners (Romans 5:8).
Why Did Jesus Forgive Them?
The reason? Because it was only His blood that could fulfill what was needed to receive the everlasting forgiveness of God (1 John 4:9-10).
This was the kind of forgiveness Jesus was praying for from upon the cross — eternal reconciliation. That is exactly what He was about to provide in the moments ahead. Not just for those before Him that day, but for all the world (1 John 2:2).
“For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28).
By interceding for His transgressors through this prayer, Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy that was foretold by Isaiah hundreds of years prior.
This prayer, from upon the cross particularly, would have confirmed His identity to those awaiting their beloved messiah, as described by the prophets of God.
Because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12).
Jesus’ prayer is one example of our Lord practicing what He preached. He didn’t actually teach anything that He wasn’t willing to live out Himself.
Some examples of Christ’s teaching we see displayed in His prayer would be that of loving your enemies and praying for those who abuse you (Luke 6:27-28).
Also, that one, we ought always to pray (Luke 18:1). These are themes we see repeated throughout the New Testament and put clearly on display as Christ prayed in the face of His enemies, and death itself.
For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted (Hebrews 2:18).
Christ is the Church’s Example to Follow
In Ephesians 5:1, Paul tells the Church of Ephesus to be imitators of God. Meanwhile, Peter’s call to believers is to be holy in all conduct, “just as he who called us is holy” (1 Peter 1:15).
Of course, Christians do not live this out by their own power but only through regeneration, sanctification, and reliance on the Holy Spirit.
Such fruit can be seen right away in early church history. Particularly through a disciple named Stephen, who was publicly stoned to death for preaching the Gospel of Christ shortly after Jesus’ death, resurrection back to life, and final ascension into heaven (Acts 1:9).
Stephen’s story comes a few chapters later where, from underneath the crushing weight of rocks, he utters his final, yet familiar, words, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:59-60).
Just like Stephen, many others have since been martyred for their faith, even doing so happily, following in the footsteps of their Lord and Savior. It appears that a path already taken is a path made easier to follow.
And in light of Christ’s resurrection and ascension — knowing that He is the first fruit of those who die in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:20), we can all take His words to heart, trusting completely when He says, “Fear not those who kill the body,” and “Blessed are you when others revile you…rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven” (Matthew 10:28; 5:11-12).
Beloved, no one knew more about the joy that was set before Him than He who came from heaven. It was for this joy Christ endured the cross, doing so in love, through and through (Hebrews 12:2).
Primarily because of who He is and what He came to do, but also because His Church is called and empowered to do the same.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you… for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide” (John 15:12-16).
Jesus' Ministry Opened and Closed with Prayer
His public ministry had opened with prayer (Luke 3:21), and here we see it closing in prayer. Surely, He has left us an example! His hands would no longer minister to the sick, for they are nailed to the cross; His feet would no longer carry him on errands of mercy, for they are fastened to the cruel tree; He would no longer instruct the apostles, for they have forsaken Him and fled. How, then, does He occupy himself? In the ministry of prayer! What a lesson for us.
In praying for his enemies, not only did Christ set before us a perfect example of how we should treat those who are wrong and hate us, but He also taught us never to regard anyone as beyond the reach of prayer. If Christ prayed for his murderers, then surely we have encouragement to pray now for the very chief of sinners! Never lose hope. Does it seem a waste of time for you to continue praying for that man, that woman, that wayward child of yours? Does their case seem to become more hopeless every day? Does it look as though they had gone beyond the reach of divine mercy? Perhaps that one you have prayed for so long has been ensnared by one of the Satanic cults of the day, or he may now be an avowed and blatant atheist, in a word, an open enemy of Christ. Remember then the cross. Christ prayed for his enemies. Learn then not to look on any as beyond the reach of prayer.
One other thought concerning this prayer of Christ. We are shown here the efficacy of prayer. This cross-intercession of Christ for his enemies met with a marked and definite answer. The answer is seen in the conversion of the three thousand souls on the day of Pentecost. I base this conclusion on Acts 3:17, where the apostle Peter says, "And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers." It is to be noted that Peter used the word ignorance, which corresponds with our Lord’s "They know not what they do." Here, then, is the divine explanation of the 3,000 converted under a single sermon. It was not Peter’s eloquence that was the cause but the Savior’s prayer.
Adapted from The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross, 1. The Word of Forgiveness, by A.W. Pink.
For further reading:
What Is the Significance of Jesus’ Last Words on the Cross?
Does God Really Forgive Our Sins?
Who Is to Blame for Jesus’ Death?
Why Did Jesus Have to Suffer So Badly?
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