Question? In Luke 23:34 what did Christ mean by Father forgive them for they know not what they do? please explain?

(Luke 23:34) Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Answer:

to give a little background info the Pharisees claimed to be of Abraham’s seed(John 8:33) and that Abraham was their Father(John 8:39), Christ stated in V39b that if they were Abraham’s children they would do the works of Abraham, and they went as far as yo say that Christ was born of fornication and that only God was their Father(read v 41).

In response to their statement in V44 Christ said that their FATHER was the devil. in V 48 they said that he(Christ) was possessed by a demon(devil) and then in V59 they picked up stones to stone him, because in V58 he told that HE WAS GOD.

The Pharisees, Chief Priest, and all the Religious leaders SHOULD have known that the Old Testament Scriptures which spoke of Christ and prophecies concerning his coming and crucifixion.

With that being said the Pharisees, Chief, Priest, ect CHOSE TO NOT believe the scriptures, INSTEAD they crucified Christ with wicked hands.

While Christ was on the cross he said “Father forgive them” meaning : Christ as God the Son being our sin substitute – 2 Corinthians 5:21 petitioned God the Father to NOT pass or bring upon them immediate eternal judgement at this time.

For they know not what they do- meaning: Christ being God in the flesh COULD HAVE struck them all dead instantly, BECAUSE OF their unbelief(know not) they CHOSE NOT to realize that Christ is GOD and that he had at HIS COMMAND 12 Legions of angels (6,000 x per legion= 72,000) READY and WAITING for him to give the order. (Matthew 26:53).

Christ(God) being LONGSUFFERING and NOT WILL ANY should perish (2 Peter 3:9) CHOSE NOT TO exercise his authority as God and execute immediate judgement, but CHOSE TO DIE in our/their place to pay not only their/our sins but for the sins of the whole world Then, Now, and Future.

The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins.

A. Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8

B. Christ PAID your sins in Full – 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:24

C. BELIEVE(Trust In Completely) on Christ ALONE for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9, 1 Corinthians. 15:1-4, 1

“For the wages(payment) of sin is death(Eternal Torment In Hell & The Lake of Fire); But the Gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ Our Lord”. Romans 6:23

IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH