Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.
Parallel translations
- WEB Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots.
- KJV Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
- NKJV Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.
- NASB [But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”] And they cast lots, dividing His garments among themselves.
- NLT Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus prayed, Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they do, while soldiers gambled for His clothes. He interceded for His executioners even as He suffered.
Overview
From the cross Jesus prays for those crucifying Him, embodying His own teaching to love enemies and pray for persecutors. The dividing of His garments by lot fulfills Psalm 22:18. Though some manuscripts question this prayer's inclusion, it beautifully expresses the heart of the merciful High Priest who intercedes for transgressors and offers forgiveness to the ignorant and the guilty alike.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 22
- Matt 5:44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
- Acts 7:60Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
- 1 Pet 3:9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
- 1 Pet 2:20–23How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
- Luke 6:27–28But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
- Rom 12:14Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.
- Gen 50:17‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
- 1 Cor 2:8None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
- Ps 22:18They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.
- Isa 53:12Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.
- 1 Tim 1:13I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.
- Acts 3:17And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.
- 1 Cor 4:12We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
- John 15:22–24If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.
- Matt 11:25At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
- John 19:23–24When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided His garments into four parts, one for each soldier, with the tunic remaining. It was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
- John 19:11Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”
- Luke 23:47–48When the centurion saw what had happened, he gave glory to God, saying, “Surely this was a righteous man.”
- Luke 12:47–48That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows.
- Matt 27:35–36When they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments by casting lots.
- Mark 15:24And they crucified Him. They also divided His garments by casting lots to decide what each of them would take.
- Ps 106:16–23In the camp they envied Moses, as well as Aaron, the holy one of the LORD.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Luke shows Jesus the Savior for all — outsiders, the poor, the nations — the one who, on the Emmaus road, opened all the Scriptures to show they were about himself.
How Luke 23:34 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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