Luke 23:34Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

and we will believe,” represents mere words of disbelief; to rise from the grave, sealed with a stone, was far more miraculous than descending from the cross, just as bringing forth the four-days-dead Lazarus from the tomb encased in grave clothes was a surpassing act of power. They challenged Him, shouting, “Save thyself; if thou be the Son of God.” Yet He did everything to rescue those who reviled Him, saying, “Forgive them (their sin), for they know not what they do.” So what happened? Did He forgive them their sin? He certainly did, as long as they were open to repentance. For had He not forgiven them, Paul would not have become an apostle; if He had not forgiven them, neither would three thousand, nor five thousand, nor countless multitudes have believed immediately. That great throngs of Jews came to faith is evident in the words of the apostles to Paul: “See, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and they are all zealous for the law” (Acts 21:20). Therefore, let us follow the Lord's example and pray for our enemies. Today marks the fifth occasion I speak of this not due to any perceived inattention on your part—may there be none—but rather in the hope that you will be persuaded by my counsel. Should there be any with hardened hearts, angry spirits, or vindictive attitudes who ignore this call to pray for enemies, perhaps they might feel a sense of shame after several days have passed and reconsider their bitterness. Look to your Master. He was crucified and prayed to the Father for those who crucified Him. But how can I, you might ask, follow my Lord’s example? You can, if you choose, for were imitation impossible He would not have said, “Learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). If it were unattainable, would Paul have declared, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1)? Nevertheless, if you are resistant to emulating the Lord, consider the servant, the apostle Stephen, who also mirrored the Lord’s compassion. Just as Christ, amidst His crucifiers, took the time to pray for them, so did Stephen, even while being pelted with stones, refuse to acknowledge the pain inflicted upon him, saying, “Lord, do not impute this sin to them” (Acts 7:60). Can you perceive how the Son speaks? Observe how the servant prays! One implores, “Father, forgive them (their sin), for they know not what they do,” while the other entreats, “Lord, do not charge this sin against them.” Notice how diligently he prayed, not just standing nonchalantly but kneeling down, filled with heartfelt remorse and compassion. Would you like another example of a servant enduring even greater suffering? Listen to Paul, who stated, “Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, ... night and day I was in the deep” (2 Corinthians 11:25). He expressed his longing, saying, “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh” (Romans 9:3). Do you want another example from the Old Testament? It is remarkable that where there was no command to love enemies, but rather a law of retribution—“eye for eye and tooth for tooth” (Exodus 21:24-25)—they still exhibited the reasoned compassion seen in the apostles. Listen to Moses, who faced scorn and rejection from the people, saying, “Forgive them their sin, and if not, please blot me out of Your book which You have written” (Exodus 32:32). Do you notice how each one prioritized the salvation of others over their own welfare? Thus, they exhibited profound empathy because they could not bear to see others suffer. These illustrations serve as sufficient examples for us. Moreover, to guide us toward full transformation, I will introduce yet another saint who addressed this theme. The blessed David, when his entire army rebelled against him and his own son Absalom sought to kill him, responded with humility. When he witnessed God’s wrath resulting in devastation among the people, he lamented, “I have sinned, I have done wickedly; but these sheep, what have they done? Let Your hand be against me and my father's house” (2 Samuel 24:17). Do you recognize the consistency in their virtues across both Testaments? Would you like me to cite another similar incident? The prophet Samuel endured great humiliation and insult from the people of Israel, to the point that God had to comfort him by saying, “They are not rejecting you, but they are rejecting Me” (1 Samuel 8:7). Despite such degradation, he declared, “Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you” (1 Samuel 12:23). He viewed it as a sin to not pray for his adversaries. May it never be that such sin would reside in my heart, preventing me from praying for you. Do you see how each righteous figure sought to follow the Lord through this remarkable act? Once again, I reiterate: the Lord exclaimed, “Father, forgive them (their sin), for they know not what they do.” Stephen prayed, “Lord, do not charge this sin against them.” Paul asserted, “I would be willing to be accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” Moses cried out, “Forgive them their sin, and if not, blot me out of Your book which You have written.” David remarked, “Let Your hand turn upon me and my father's house.” Samuel insisted, “I will not allow myself to sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you.” What excuse can we offer when both the Lord and the devoted servants of both Testaments urge us to pray for our enemies, yet we choose to act against this? Therefore, let us not become complacent, for the greater the number of examples, the greater the judgment if we fail to mimic them. Praying for our enemies surpasses praying for our friends in significance, and praying for friends offers less benefit than praying for foes. Christ teaches us, “For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?” (Matthew 5:46). Therefore, if we only pray for our friends, we achieve no higher standing than the tax collectors; yet if we demonstrate love toward our enemies, we reflect the nature of God, who “makes His sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). As such, let us aspire to be like the Father. For I say unto you, be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect, that we too may attain the kingdom of heaven through the grace and love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

"Father, forgive them." These words embody not only profound humanity but also reveal His divine authority. Jesus did not plead humbly, saying, "Lord, I pray thee, forgive them," but rather, He spoke with the confidence of His role, declaring, "Father, forgive them."

Therefore, while the Lord was suspended on the tree, mercy favored us, rejecting and denying those who were aware while calling upon those who were ignorant, saying, "They know not what they do." Yet, His truth, articulated in the parable of the vineyard, stands against us, declaring, "The vinedressers knew the heir of the vineyard." The plan to kill Him was set long before His arrival, so that the inheritance could remain in their possession (Matt. 21:38). And should anyone rise up to challenge His truth and malign His mercy, questioning why they did not recognize His coming nor understand what was right, and why He concealed Himself from the Jewish people while revealing Himself to the Gentiles—His truth has provided a response. To prevent any slander against His truth, He made it clear that they were aware of Him; and for the praise of mercy in the forgiveness and atonement of our unrighteousness, He stated that they did not know Him.

The soldiers stood guard over Jesus (Matt. 27:36), protecting Him from departing, maintaining the suffering that was demanded by the Jewish people. Let Christ endure His passion on my behalf, so that through His suffering He may triumph over death. He did not choose to come down from the cross for His own sake but for ours. The soldiers shared in His garments for our benefit, as no one can possess everything. They cast lots for the seamless robe, illustrating that the Holy Spirit does not hand out gifts based on human desire: The gifts may vary, but the Spirit, distributing each according to His will, orchestrates all (1 Cor. 12:4, 11).

Consider the garments of Christ. Where can they be found? The Gospel of Matthew reveals one made of purple, John speaks of a purple robe as well, Mark mentions a plain garment, while Luke describes a light garment (See Matt. 27:28; Jn. 19:2; Mk. 15:17; Lk. 23:11). Although Christ possessed only this single garment, how many did He adorn with it! Surely, He clothed not only the four Evangelists and the soldiers but countless others.

Now, if we focus back on the Evangelists, we observe not merely different garments, but the distinct virtues of each writer. One penned eloquently about the kingdom, another broadly examined human existence. Luke chose the purity of priestly attire, while Mark did not pursue the richness of material, and John skillfully crafted his words into garments for our faith. Does the opening of John's Gospel not resemble a finely woven tapestry: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, existing with God from the very first (John 1:1-3)? Mark, satisfied with the beauty of the simple garment, begins succinctly: The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Mk. 1:1).

The dividing of Christ's garments symbolizes His deeds and gracious gifts, yet the seamless robe, representing faith, cannot be fragmented (See Eph. 4:5; Jn. 19:23-24). Faith is not allocated in parts; rather, it is whole and complete for each believer. What remains undivided maintains its integrity. Just as the chiton was entirely woven from above (Jn. 19:23), faith in Christ descends from divine heights to humanity. He who was eternally present took on flesh in the fullness of time, teaching us that faith should remain unbroken and sacred.

Consequently, they too were undeniably given up to their adversaries. They are unaware of their actions, consumed by envy.

Some argue that He was not praying for the Jewish leaders but rather for the Roman soldiers who participated in the crucifixion, as they were entirely oblivious to the prophecies concerning Him. However, it is essential to recognize that prior to expressing, "My Father, if this cup cannot pass from me, Your will be done" (Matthew 26:42), it seems that the death of the Son is pleasing to the Father, whereas in this instance, when He proclaims, "Father, forgive them," it appears to be contrary to His will, for He could not temper His anger against these blood-soaked evildoers. What can we conclude from this? That inherently, it was not pleasing to Him, yet it was so—for our salvation. Just as we may find the wounds of a noble individual unpleasant in themselves, when understood as a result of courage against foes, they become admirable to us.

They divided His garments, casting lots, while the onlookers stood by, observing. In the previously referenced passage of the Gospel of Matthew, seek the commentary on "And they that crucified Him divided His garments, casting lots." There you will find profound interpretations recorded that merit attention.

Even amidst such dreadful suffering, You are not primarily concerned for Yourself but for the salvation of sinners, including those who stand against You! Blessed are You, O Lord, who has set before us a model of such forbearance! May human arrogance be humbled, for it cannot bear a slight and seeks vengeance against a brother!

Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them: for they know not what they do." This marks His initial word while crucified—a heartfelt plea to the Father, and a profound prayer indeed! When He addressed "Father" from the cross, He maintained His connection to heaven, affirming that even in the depths of His disgraceful death, He was the true Son of God, just as He would eternally be in glory.

In this moment, He addresses the heavenly Father not as “Father” specifically in relation to people, for otherwise He would have said, “Let Your children be forgiven.” Rather, He echoes what the voice from heaven proclaimed: “This is My beloved Son” (John 12:28). Likewise, just as He called upon the heavenly Father at the grave of Lazarus (John 11:41), He invokes the same relationship here. What does Jesus say to the Father from the cross? Is it a lament for His own sufferings? No. Is it a rebuke for the cruelty of those who wronged Him? No. Is it an expression of anger towards their wickedness? No. His words do not seek destruction against His tormentors, crying out for vengeance, as was the prayer of the Prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:18). Instead, the Prince of our salvation forgets Himself and expresses only love for others: “Father, forgive them.” His entire life was an embodiment of love for mankind, and He sealed His death with this same love. Throughout His ministry, He exhibited such meekness that He did not extinguish even the faintest spark of faith. He remained consistent on the cross, dying with divine gentleness in the hands of those who sought His life.

He does not proclaim "I forgive," although He possesses the unique authority to do so as the Son of God (John 8:11). Instead, His plea is “Father, forgive them.” This is not the supplication of a mere man or a prophet, but rather that of the Son of God—the prayer of the Intercessor of peace. He is the one who assumes the role of the Reconciler between heaven and earth; it is the prayer of the One who ever lives to intercede on behalf of sinners (Heb. 7:25); it is the prayer of eternal love, sacrificing His own glory on the cross for the sake of guilt-ridden humanity! The prophet Isaiah (Is. 53:12) foretold of the Servant of the Lord: “He was counted among the lawless, and bore the sins of many, and interceded for the transgressors”—or as some ancient Jewish interpreters put it, “prayed for sins.” Thus, Jesus Christ fulfills this prophetic word about the Intercessor through His identification with the sinful.

"Forgive them." Who are these offenders for whom He intercedes with the Father? The term “they” is used in a broad sense, purposefully vague to encompass as many individuals as possible within His prayer's reach. Undoubtedly, the immediate offenders include those who physically brought about His crucifixion, which St. Luke acknowledges as he recounts the actions of the soldiers involved (Luke 23:33). However, as those soldiers acted under the authority of the Sanhedrin and Pilate, their guilt extends beyond individual malice. Jesus' intercession includes all involved in that tragic saga of His crucifixion: it embraces the chief priests and elders who compelled Pilate to condemn Him; it refers to the crowd that, in their spiritual blindness, shouted, “His blood be on us and on our children” (Matthew 27:25); it reaches even to the mockers surrounding the cross, to Pilate, who washed his hands of responsibility, and to Peter, who denied Him thrice, along with all the disciples who abandoned their Master. It envelops all those whose sins led Him to this fate.

“They know not what they do.” The enormity of the sin for which the suffering Savior intercedes is astonishing—it is the sin of crucifying the Son of God. Yet, there is a path to forgiveness encapsulated within the intercession of the Son Himself; the true fault of those transgressors lies in their ignorance. Their lack of understanding is not a mere excusable naivety; rather, it is highlighted poignantly by the prophet Isaiah: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). This description reveals the human condition, wandering aimlessly away from God amidst the wilderness of sin. In this state, both malicious intent and deep-seated ignorance coexist.

Was it not the same for Jesus’ enemies? They consciously intensified their cruelty; they exacerbated the shame associated with the cross, and they pursued their wicked desires without understanding the gravity of their actions. Even among the members of the Sanhedrin—the very scribes and Pharisees, blinded by their passions—there existed a lack of comprehension about whom they were condemning. As the Apostle Paul noted, had they known, “they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Cor. 2:8). St. Peter addressed the people of Jerusalem, stating, “Ye did it ignorantly, as did also your rulers” (Acts 3:17). The crowd had been manipulated into evil actions against Jesus by the schemes of the Pharisees, while the Roman soldiers were even less aware of His identity. Did Pilate truly understand more than those coarse soldiers? When the Savior makes His plea for the forgiveness of those who crucified Him based on their ignorance, He suggests that recognizing the sinful nature of our actions in ignorance is crucial for receiving His forgiveness.

Peter calls those who, in their ignorance, had a hand in the death of the Prince of Life, saying, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19). In another address to the Jews, he urged, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). This elucidates why not all for whom the Intercessor prayed received pardon; some remained entrenched in sin until their demise. It demonstrates the grave state of a sinner who recognizes their sin yet fails to genuinely repent. My dear friends, consider how profound is the love Jesus has for sinners! His first utterance from the cross was a prayer for His crucifiers. Should we not then strive to love and forgive our neighbors? How can we hold onto grievances against those who harm us? In light of the Son of God’s plea for His enemies, what weight does it carry if we extend forgiveness to our brothers and sisters who offend us (Matthew 18:22)?

He, the Holy and Innocent one, delivered to the cross's disgrace, prayed for those who sought His destruction. As sinners, can we justify our grievances against others when we carry substantial debts before God ourselves? Let us remember as little as possible the transgressions of others, harbor as much forgiveness in our hearts for our brothers and sisters, and remain strict in our self-examination. By doing so, we draw closer to the Lord, who embodies love. “Forgive, and you shall be forgiven.” Is your adversary exceedingly cruel? Is the one who has wronged you deeply unjust? Pray for them, saying, “Heavenly Father, forgive them—for their soul suffers from affliction, and though they are lost, they are still my brother and Your child.” When the insults and falsehoods of others deeply wound your heart, causing anger to fester, it becomes especially imperative to pray for them. Such prayer will soothe your spirit and elevate your heart towards divine love, healing your wounds and adorning you with a gentle spirit.

It is often said that to bear an undeserved offense is to disregard one's dignity. But who among us is free from fault? If you assure yourself of your own innocence, then why not make intercession for sinners? Yet we are all sinners. In the midst of our folly, our inner selves may seek to justify our actions; true spiritual growth lies in mastering our own restless ego and cultivating humility. This is why true Christianity embodies both courage and divine wisdom; everything contrary to this is unwise and stands opposed to God. My friends, bless those who harm you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:44-45).

Another lesson from the One who prays for His crucifiers speaks to you, O soul burdened by sin! You observe and understand—He intercedes for all who led Him to the cross. He prays for you and for me and for all who sin. Do not diminish His prayer through despair, nor afflict His wounds with your hopelessness. How could you doubt that His love extends to cover your sins before God’s righteousness? His love encompasses the entire world. What significance do your transgressions hold? He, to whom the mysteries of His love are especially revealed, assures us of the power of His prayer: “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous” (1 John 2:1). Therefore, banish despair! It is not our righteous deeds alone that justify us before God, nor mere acts of repentance or asceticism, but a living faith in our Lord Jesus, the Intercessor. Regardless of the multitude or weight of your sins, simply come before the crucified Savior with a humble heart and you will find forgiveness through the might of His prayer. Call upon Him: “Lord Jesus, You pray for those who oppose You; cover me with Your unwavering love; save me, O Savior of mine; glory and praise to You, O heavenly Love.” Amen.

After completing the crucifixion of the Savior, the soldiers divided His garments among themselves, a customary practice for those condemned to such a fate. However, a remarkable detail emerged: they shared all His garments except for the chiton, which could not be divided amongst four, as it was woven in one piece (John 19:23-24). The chiton, reminiscent of the attire worn by Jewish priests and high priests (Ex. 39:27), was said to have been crafted by the hands of the Virgin Mary. The soldiers cast lots to determine its rightful owner. St. Justin referred to this occurrence in writing to the Emperor, stating, “After His crucifixion, those who crucified Him cast lots for His garment.” Their actions were a tangible fulfillment of God's providential design, aligning perfectly with Scriptures prophetically articulated long before. What was foretold by David was now coming to fruition, as the psalmist proclaimed (Psalms 21:19). This bizarre occurrence highlights the cruelty faced by the suffering Messiah, who died exposed and ridiculed by the fierce hatred of His enemies. O Lord Jesus, how immense shall Your mercy be towards us if our last breath is one of praise for You, our Savior, who suffered on our behalf. Amen.

Blood flowed from His wounds onto the ground, but no sounds of pain escaped His lips; instead, He prayed for those who were crucifying Him, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” The other soldiers proceeded to crucify the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah, as noted by the evangelist: “and he was numbered with the transgressors."

With the condemned elevated, the soldiers took Jesus’ garments and, following custom, began to divide them among themselves. As recorded by John, His clothes were split into four parts, indicating that four soldiers were involved in the crucifixion. While more soldiers were present, they likely attended to the robbers or maintained order at the execution site. The upper garment of Jesus was torn into four pieces, yet His lower garment, the chiton, was left intact, being woven without seams. They decided to cast lots for it to determine its owner, an action that fulfilled the prophecy of David: "they divide my garments among themselves and cast lots for my clothing" (Psalm 21:19). After distributing Jesus' attire, the soldiers took their positions by the cross, sitting down to keep watch over Him.

"For they know not what they do": the Roman soldiers, with Pilate leading them, were unaware of the significance of their actions, as they failed to recognize that they were crucifying the Savior of the world—the Son of God. The Jewish leaders, equipped with every reason to acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah, chose not to believe, remaining blind to the truth to the extent that they did not realize they were putting their Messiah to death. This is why the Apostle Peter, addressing the Jewish people later on, pointedly declared that they had crucified the Lord in ignorance (Acts 3:17), while the Apostle Paul noted that had they recognized Him, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Cor. 2:8). Their ignorance does not absolve them; they had adequate means to understand. Consequently, they must bear the consequences of their actions, as affirmed by the infallible words of the Lord. Yet, the gravity of their offense and the severity of their punishment is so immense that the Lord intercedes with His Father to forgive them even a portion of it; otherwise, their punishment could lead to their total destruction. What remarkable depth of the Lord’s spirit, as He seeks pardon for the most obstinate adversaries blinded by their ignorance! And indeed, "this sin would have been forgiven them if they had not persisted in unbelief" (Theophil.).

"Divided their garments": see note on Matthew 27:35.