Luke 23:34
What does Luke 23:34 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 23:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 23:34 means
Jesus prays, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” In the midst of agony, He intercedes for His executioners. This is the heart of His mission: to seek forgiveness for the ignorant and hostile. Their actions are real sins, but their blindness is real too. He asks the Father to extend mercy even as justice is being done to Him. Meanwhile, the soldiers divide His clothes, casting lots, a detail that shows the cruelty’s cold routine and echoes ancient prophecies. His prayer reveals the grace of the Crucified King, who loves His enemies while they strip Him of all.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And parting his garments among them, they cast lots.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And parting his garments among them, they cast lots.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Jesus said, Father, let them have forgiveness, for they have no knowledge of what they are doing. And they made division of his clothing among them by the decision of chance.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Jesus said, `Father, forgive them, for they have not known what they do;' and parting his garments they cast a lot.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Jesus said: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. But they, dividing his garments, cast lots.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And, parting out his garments, they cast lots.
Context
Immediately after the crucifixion, Luke highlights Jesus’ first word from the cross—a plea for forgiveness. The soldiers, indifferent to His identity, gamble for His garments, fulfilling the pattern of the righteous sufferer. The next verses show the varied reactions: spectators gaze, rulers mock His claims, and soldiers taunt Him with sour wine. The emphasis remains on the paradox: the One who saves others refuses to save Himself, in order to save them truly.
v.33And when they came unto the place which is called The skull, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand and the other on the left.
v.34This passage
v.35And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also scoffed at him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 15:24
And they crucify him, and part his garments among them, casting lots upon them, what each should take.
- John 19:23
The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
- Matthew 5:44
but I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you;
- Acts 7:60
And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
- Luke 23:47
And when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.
- 1 Peter 3:9
not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
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