Why did Jesus say “Father, forgive them” on the cross?

The Prayer of Mercy From the Cross

Why did Jesus say, Father, forgive them on the cross? We're going to answer that question. You can also discover more on GotQuestions .org. Jesus looked down from the cross upon a scene that must have been distressing to him.

The Roman soldiers were gambling for his clothes. The criminals on the crosses to either side of him were reviling him. The religious leaders were mocking him, and the crowd was blaspheming him. Surrounded by this most unworthy lot, Jesus prayed for them, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.

This is a prayer of unmatched mercy and love. Even in his agony, Jesus' concern was for the forgiveness of those who counted themselves among his enemies. He asked the Father to forgive the thieves on the cross who jeered at him.

He asked to forgive the Roman soldiers who had mocked him, spit on him, beat him, yanked out his beard, whipped him, and put a crown of thorns on his head, and nailed him to the cross. Jesus asked for forgiveness for the angry mob that had mocked him and called for his crucifixion.

It is important to note that Jesus' prayer, Father, forgive them, does not mean that everyone was forgiven unilaterally without repentance and faith. It does mean that Jesus was willing to forgive them.

The Cross as Fulfillment of Prophecy and Intercession

Forgiveness was, in fact, the reason he was on the cross. The words, Father, forgive them, show the merciful heart of God. Jesus prayed, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy. He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

From the cross, Jesus interceded for sinners. Today, risen and glorified, Jesus remains the one mediator between God and mankind. He was putting into practice the principle he had taught in the Sermon on the Mount.

You have heard that it was said, love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute. Jesus, the persecuted, prayed for his persecutors. Coupled with the willingness of Jesus to forgive his tormentors is the fact that they did not know what they were doing.

Ignorance, Repentance, and the Answer to the Prayer

The soldiers personally held no ill will toward him. Following orders, this was how they normally treated condemned men, believing that he truly deserved it. The soldiers and mob didn't really know they were killing the Son of God.

The Jewish leaders had deceived them into believing that Jesus was a fake and a troublemaker. Jesus revealed his infinite mercy. He still loved them and would forgive them if only they would humble themselves and repent.

Jesus' prayer, Father forgive them, was answered in the lives of many people. The Roman centurion at the foot of the cross, upon seeing how Jesus died, exclaimed, surely this man was the Son of God. One of the two thieves crucified with Jesus exercised faith in Christ who promised him paradise.

A member of the Sanhedrin publicly aligned himself with Jesus. And a little over a month later, 3 ,000 people in Jerusalem were saved in one day as the church began. On the cross, Jesus provided forgiveness for all those who would ever believe in him.

Jesus paid the penalty for the sins that we commit in our ignorance and even the ones we've committed deliberately. When we are born again, we too become an answer to Jesus' prayer, Father forgive them.

Conclusion and Further Resources

That answers the question, why did Jesus say, Father forgive them on the cross? On our website, gotquestions .org, you'll find a deeper discussion and recommended resources. If this helped you, give us a thumbs up and click subscribe.

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