Why did Jesus ask the Father to forgive them?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Jan 12, 2022
798
178
43
#21
I think that your query could be better framed, since it can be read as both a question into the nature of Jesus and his cause, and to the situation in which Jesus found the sinners, or maybe all sinners.
It's a simple question. The answer is simple too, thus will it be easy to fulfill that demand to give the simple answer at the end of the day.
 

TLCSFA

Active member
Sep 8, 2021
103
65
28
72
#22
This was what He wanted to do. Christ was born to die for us on the cross, to carry all of our sins. He was the lamb of God, who died on the cross for us, who rose as a lion to become the King. How blessed we are that He loves us that much, to know us as we are, but still will love us.
 
Jul 9, 2022
441
65
28
#24
It's a simple question. The answer is simple too, thus will it be easy to fulfill that demand to give the simple answer at the end of the day.
It's a simple question, with better punctuation, I think.
"Why, on the cross, did Jesus..." Otherwise, we're into the nature of the causes of God, and while I can give a single word, none of that simple to this side of creation.
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#25
You make an interesting point. Scripture clearly states that if we don’t forgive others their trespasses, God will not forgive us of our trespasses, and yet Jesus asked God to forgive His accusers, and in like manner we should ask God to forgive those who have wronged us.
If I may, sir, It’s a bit more nuanced than that. I bolded the words below.

Luke 17:3,4
3Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Seems like if “if” is accurate then it’s dependent upon repentance for positional forgiveness.

I use the word positional because it’s still possible to grieve the Holy Spirit after the forgiveness of sins through Christ’s sacrifice.

Is this how God does it too?

1 John 1:9
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
 
Jan 12, 2022
798
178
43
#26
It's a simple question, with better punctuation, I think.
"Why, on the cross, did Jesus..." Otherwise, we're into the nature of the causes of God, and while I can give a single word, none of that simple to this side of creation.
Oh, if you are wondering why I say "Why on the cross" it is to let you know when Jesus said it specifically. So that you know it's not one of the other times Jesus said to forgive the people but is specifically the episode of the crucifixion.
 
Jan 12, 2022
798
178
43
#27
The incorrect answers, far or close, are interesting. Expositions that are technically correct, but for other subjects and questions, not this question. Don't overthink yourselves. The answer is simple and even moreover it is right in front of your eyes and your ears all the time.
 
Jul 9, 2022
441
65
28
#28
The incorrect answers, far or close, are interesting. Expositions that are technically correct, but for other subjects and questions, not this question. Don't overthink yourselves. The answer is simple and even moreover it is right in front of your eyes and your ears all the time.
I don't know.
 

Snacks

Well-known member
Feb 10, 2022
1,410
771
113
#30
If I may, sir, It’s a bit more nuanced than that. I bolded the words below.

Luke 17:3,4
3Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Seems like if “if” is accurate then it’s dependent upon repentance for positional forgiveness.

I use the word positional because it’s still possible to grieve the Holy Spirit after the forgiveness of sins through Christ’s sacrifice.

Is this how God does it too?

1 John 1:9
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
It’s all good, friend. I like what you’ve shared.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
113
#33
A simple question.

Why on the cross did Jesus ask the Father to forgive them?
For an example to us. We must also forgive our enemies.

Jesus also seems to have insinuated that they did not realize He was God (until after the fact.)

Luke 23:34

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
 
Jan 12, 2022
798
178
43
#34
For an example to us. We must also forgive our enemies.

Jesus also seems to have insinuated that they did not realize He was God (until after the fact.)

Luke 23:34

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
Expound on this more and you will be the closest. This is the right path to the right answer.
 
Jan 12, 2022
798
178
43
#35
For an example to us. We must also forgive our enemies.

Jesus also seems to have insinuated that they did not realize He was God (until after the fact.)

Luke 23:34

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
I will also say this, that this is the correct verse and you have indeed bolded and emphasized the correct part of the verse that is the correct answer. You are very close.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
113
#36
Expound on this more and you will be the closest. This is the right path to the right answer.
It is important to note that Jesus did not say to them what He said to the thief...

Luke 23:43
“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

Even knowledge of His identity is not enough. All must yield their lives to Him. He forgave them of that sin, but that would not keep them from continuing on in their sinful ways.

We should forgive also, but it does not guarantee the forgiven person entrance into Heaven.
 
Jul 9, 2022
441
65
28
#37
I've already lost interest, and by the end of the day I simply won't care.
When we ate of the fruit of the knowledge, we lost our ownership (interest) in The Kingdom of God. Having lost this, we lost contact with God's plan for what we should be doing. We now knew of right and wrong, but we didn't know how to get to right. As time went on, we learned to try to cover ourselves, instead of using coverings God provided for us (this maybe a poetic license, please be careful taking it as direct instruction), and we stopped caring if we were in God's plan, we only cared if we could cover for ourselves. Then the soldiers ripped his clothing and cast lots for each bit of covering.
 
Jan 12, 2022
798
178
43
#38
It is important to note that Jesus did not say to them what He said to the thief...

Luke 23:43
“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

Even knowledge of His identity is not enough. All must yield their lives to Him. He forgave them of that sin, but that would not keep them from continuing on in their sinful ways.

We should forgive also, but it does not guarantee the forgiven person entrance into Heaven.
While it is good to forgive and indeed Jesus is an example of course, this is not the answer for this specific question.

You are closer on the exposition about their knowledge, or I should say, lack of it.
 

Eli1

Well-known member
Apr 5, 2022
4,703
2,017
113
46
#39
Oh this is easy too.

Basically Jesus is having compassion and forgiveness here for all those who are against The Church.
 
Jul 16, 2022
389
104
28
58
North Carolina
#40
A simple question.

Why on the cross did Jesus ask the Father to forgive them?
As I understand it Jesus asked for their forgiveness for the reason that soon followed. He stated the reason and it was their ignorance.

Luk_23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.