Luke 23:34

LUKE—NOTE ON Luke 23:34 They cast lots to divide his garments is a clear reference to Psalms 22:18. Casting lots was sometimes used in the OT to discover God’s will, but here it is a form of gambling by the Roman guards. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. Jesus follows his own teaching about loving one’s enemies (see Luke 6:35). His death was the basis upon which those who crucified him could be forgiven (Isaiah 53:12). “They know not what they do” does not take away the responsibility of the religious or political leaders for Jesus’ death, but it shows that they did not fully understand the horrible evil that they were doing in crucifying the “Holy and Righteous One” (Acts 3:14).