FROM OUR SERIES ON CHRIST’S SEVEN FINAL UTTERANCES FROM THE CROSS

In the midst of excruciating pain and ultimate betrayal, Jesus uttered seven profound statements from the cross. The first of these—“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34)—is one of the most powerful expressions of mercy in human history. But a crucial question remains: who exactly was Jesus praying for in this moment?

 

THE SCENE AT CALVARY

As Jesus hung on the cross, multiple groups surrounded Him. Roman soldiers drove nails through His flesh and gambled for His garments. Jewish religious leaders who’d orchestrated His death looked on with contempt. Crowds of people gathered to witness the spectacle, while a small band of devoted followers watched from a distance, heartbroken.

Into this scene of cruelty and chaos, Jesus spoke not words of judgement but of forgiveness. His prayer reveals the heart of His mission even as His body was being broken.

 

FATHER, FORGIVE THEM: FOUR PERSPECTIVES ON “THEM”

1. The Roman Soldiers: Many interpreters suggest Jesus was praying specifically for the Roman soldiers—the immediate agents of His suffering. These men were following orders, unaware of the cosmic significance of their actions. Scripture speaks of God’s special mercy toward those who sin in ignorance (Numbers 15:27-29), and these Gentile soldiers had little understanding of Jewish theology or messianic expectations.

The phrase “they know not what they do” seems particularly apt for them. They were simply executing another criminal in a long line of crucifixions, not consciously rejecting the Son of God.

2. The Jewish Leaders and People: Others point to the Jewish authorities and crowd who’d demanded Jesus’ execution. Peter later said to his fellow Jews, “I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders” (Acts 3:17). Despite having the Scriptures and witnessing Jesus’ miracles, they failed to recognise Him as Messiah.

This view gains support from how the early church understood forgiveness. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, echoed Jesus’ words when he prayed for those stoning him: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60).

3. All Present at the Crucifixion: A broader interpretation suggests Jesus prayed for everyone present—Romans and Jews alike—representing all of humanity in our complicity with sin and our need for divine forgiveness. This perspective emphasises the universal scope of Christ’s compassion.

In this view, Jesus looked upon the entire scene—the hostile, the indifferent, and the grieving—and asked for mercy upon all. This interpretation aligns with the biblical theme that both Jews and Gentiles participated in Christ’s death (Acts 4:27-28).

4. The Reformed Perspective: The Elect Throughout History The Reformed tradition, while acknowledging elements of the previous views, offers a more theologically nuanced understanding. From this perspective, Jesus was praying primarily for the elect—those whom the Father had given to the Son (John 17:9).

This interpretation rests on several theological pillars:

• Particular Redemption: Christ’s atoning work was intended specifically for His people rather than indiscriminately for all humanity.
• The Efficacy of Christ’s Prayers: Jesus Himself declared, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me” (John 11:41-42). If Jesus prayed for universal forgiveness, then all would be saved—yet Scripture clearly teaches that not all are saved.
• Christ as Mediator: Even in His suffering, Jesus fulfilled His mediatorial role, interceding for those who would come to faith through His sacrifice.

The Reformed understanding sees Jesus’ prayer as having both immediate application (to some present that day) and eternal significance (for all the elect throughout history).

 

HOW THESE VIEWS HARMONISE

These perspectives need not be mutually exclusive. Jesus likely had in mind:

• The immediate perpetrators (Romans and Jews directly involved)
• Those who would later repent (like the 3,000 at Pentecost)
• All whom the Father had given Him (the elect throughout history)

What’s particularly significant from the Reformed perspective is that this prayer wasn’t merely wishful thinking but effective intercession. We see evidence of its efficacy in the conversion of many Jews in Acts 2 and in the testimony of the centurion who declared, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54).

 

THEOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS

Christ’s prayer reveals several profound truths:

The Trinity at Work: Even in His suffering, Jesus maintained perfect communion with the Father, demonstrating the Trinity’s unified purpose in redemption.

Divine Justice and Mercy in Balance: The cross itself demonstrates God’s justice in punishing sin, while Jesus’ prayer shows His mercy toward sinners.

The Nature of True Forgiveness: Genuine forgiveness is costly, requiring sacrifice rather than simply overlooking wrong.

Christ’s Substitutionary Role: As our Great High Priest, Jesus intercedes for His people even as He bears their punishment.

 

CONCLUSION: FATHER, FORGIVE THEM

From the Reformed perspective, Jesus’ prayer “Father, forgive them” primarily addressed the elect for whom He was dying, though it also had immediate application to some present at Calvary. This understanding preserves both the particular focus of Christ’s redemptive work and the genuine offer of the gospel to all people.

The prayer reveals Jesus’ heart as our Mediator—even in His darkest hour, He thought not of Himself but of those He came to save. As we contemplate this first saying from the cross, we see the perfect harmony of justice and mercy, the costliness of forgiveness, and the wonder that we ourselves might be included in that momentous prayer.

In the end, this saying reminds us the cross wasn’t merely an instrument of death but the very means by which forgiveness would be secured. Christ’s words and work remain inseparable—together they accomplish our redemption and reveal the heart of God toward sinners who “know not what they do.”

 

FATHER, FORGIVE THEM: RELATED FAQs

How does Jesus’ prayer “Father, forgive them” demonstrate that true forgiveness is free for recipients but costly for the giver? While those forgiven through Christ’s sacrifice receive pardon without payment, Jesus Himself bore the immeasurable cost through His suffering and death. This paradox illustrates the nature of genuine forgiveness—it releases the debtor completely while the debt itself must still be addressed by someone. Christ’s prayer from the cross came precisely as He was paying the ultimate price for the forgiveness He was requesting.

• Did Jesus’ prayer mean everyone at the foot of the cross was automatically forgiven? No, Jesus’ prayer did not automatically grant forgiveness to everyone present, as forgiveness ultimately requires repentance and faith. His prayer instead made forgiveness possible and available through His atoning work. The subsequent conversions in Acts—including thousands on Pentecost—show how this prayer found its fulfillment in those who later came to faith.
• How does Jesus’ prayer relate to the doctrine of election in Reformed theology? Jesus’ prayer aligns perfectly with election as He intercedes specifically for those whom the Father has given Him. This doesn’t diminish the genuineness of the prayer but highlights that Christ’s intercession, like His atonement, has a particular focus while being sufficient for all. The prayer demonstrates how divine sovereignty operates alongside human responsibility, as Jesus prays for forgiveness even as people exercise their will in crucifying Him.
• What’s the significance of this being Jesus’ first statement from the cross? By speaking words of forgiveness first, Jesus establishes mercy—not judgment—stands at the heart of His mission. This priority reveals that even in His deepest agony, His concern was for sinners rather than for Himself. The timing demonstrates how forgiveness wasn’t an afterthought but the primary purpose of the cross itself.
• How should this prayer shape our response to those who wrong us today? Christ’s example calls us to extend forgiveness even when we’re suffering from others’ actions against us. This doesn’t mean ignoring justice, but rather entrusting ultimate justice to God while maintaining a heart of mercy. Jesus models how forgiveness can precede repentance, as we can maintain a forgiving spirit even when others haven’t yet sought reconciliation.
• Does “they know not what they do” excuse sinful behaviour or diminish responsibility? Rather than excusing sin, Jesus’ acknowledgement of ignorance highlights the depth of human blindness without diminishing moral responsibility. Scripture consistently teaches that ignorance may affect the degree of culpability (Luke 12:47-48) but never removes it entirely. Jesus’ words reveal both compassion for human weakness and the tragic reality that sin clouds our ability to recognise how offensive our actions are to God

How do we reconcile Jesus’ prayer for forgiveness with passages about God’s judgement? God’s mercy and justice exist in perfect harmony rather than contradiction. The cross itself demonstrates this harmony—precisely where God’s judgement fell most severely, His mercy flowed most freely. Jesus’ prayer doesn’t negate consequences but rather shows how forgiveness operates within a framework of justice satisfied through substitutionary atonement, explaining why Paul could declare God “just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:26).

 

SEVEN UTTERANCES FROM THE CROSS: OUR RELATED POSTS

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• Why Does Jesus Cry, ‘My God My God’?
• John 19:28: Why Did Jesus Say ‘I Thirst’?
• It is Finished”: What Does Jesus Mean?
• Last Words on the Cross: Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit