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NASB | Luke 23:34 But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Luke 23:34 And Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots, dividing His clothes among themselves. [Ps 22:18] |
Bible Question:
Who was Jesus beseeching the Father to forgive? The context seems to suggest that it could be either the people casting lots for Christ's garments or the 'crucifixion party' consisting of the Romans who performed the act, the Jews who demanded it, the onlookers, and the even the sympathetics. There is no record of anyone asking for forgiveness at the crucifixion so why did Christ ask the Father to forgive? Did the Father answer this request? If so, how? Not even the thief asked for forgiveness. He only requested that Christ remember him when the Lord came into His kingdom. So who was forgiven? Is it possible that this was Christ's pronouncement that forgiveness for all mankind was provided for at the cross by His shed blood - Heb 9:22? If so, not everyone has accepted this forgiveness because not everyone 'comes' to the cross. Would this passage and the rest of the Bible support this view? |
Bible Answer: Bill Mc, I like your referance to Hebrews 9:22. Who is the "them" Jesus is praying for? He is praying for -Judas who betrayed Him. -His other 11 disciples who left Him -Pilate who found Him innocent yet still gave Him up to be crucified. -the soldiers who whipped Him, mocked Him, spit on Him, and nailed Him to the cross. -for us, we don't know what we were doing. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8). Also, Hebrews 9:22 fits. Some knew, the Jewish leaders. We read in Acts 3:15, "And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses." But, I don't think they knew fully what they were doing. While all are forgiven (John 3:16), each still call on Him to be saved (Rom 10:9-13). The cry is, "Father forgive them..." The prophecy is found in Isaiah 53:12 Jesus never called on His Father to forgive sins. He, himself demonstrated the Had power, while on earth, to forgive sins (Matt 9:2; Luke 7:48). Steve |