Jesus' prayer, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34), was addressed to His heavenly Father.
1. He prayed that His Father would forgive those who mocked and crucified Him. They were indeed unbelieving sinners in need of forgiveness. Jesus' prayer didn't mean they were automatically forgiven. Earlier, Jesus had said, "the one who does not believe has been condemned (or judged) already because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God" (John 3:18). So, those men had to believe in Jesus to be forgiven. At least one did (Matt. 27:54), perhaps more. Those who didn't believe remained unforgiven. Forgiveness of sin is not a blanket spread all over humanity.
2. Jesus said, "they do not know what they are doing." That's because they did not have God's wisdom. Paul wrote, "but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory" (1 Cor. 2:7-8). Thus, without God's wisdom, Jesus' killers couldn't possibly know what they were doing. Every lost person lacks God's wisdom and would crucify Jesus again if it were possible.
3. Peter wrote, "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). God's patience is not slowness but His gracious provision of a lengthy period of time for sinners to repent and believe to be saved (3:15). Many will not (Rev. 16:8-9). So, Jesus forgave the thief on the cross only because he repented and believed (Luke 23:39-43). Therefore, those who didn't repent and those who never repent will never be forgiven. Those of us who have repented, experiencing God’s forgiveness in Christ, are empowered by the Holy Spirit to forgive others (Ephesians 4:30-32).
Blessings! 🙏🏾❤️
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