INTRODUC. LUKE, Dr. Samuel Lee
FATHER, FORGIVE THEM
Passage: Luke 23:32~43  
Key verse: 34
32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.(A) 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father,(B) forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[a](C) And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.(D)
35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him.(E) They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”(F)
36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him.(G) They offered him wine vinegar(H) 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews,(I) save yourself.”
38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.(J)
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”(K)
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”(L)
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[b]”(M)
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”(N)
Footnotes
- Luke 23:34 Some early manuscripts do not have this sentence.
- Luke 23:42 Some manuscripts come with your kingly power
Cross references
- Luke 23:32 : Isa 53:12; Mt 27:38; Mk 15:27; Jn 19:18
- Luke 23:34 : S Mt 11:25
- Luke 23:34 : S Mt 5:44
- Luke 23:34 : Ps 22:18
- Luke 23:35 : Ps 22:17
- Luke 23:35 : Isa 42:1
- Luke 23:36 : Ps 22:7
- Luke 23:36 : Ps 69:21; Mt 27:48
- Luke 23:37 : Lk 4:3, 9
- Luke 23:38 : S Mt 2:2
- Luke 23:39 : ver 35, 37
- Luke 23:41 : S ver 4
- Luke 23:42 : S Mt 16:27
- Luke 23:43 : 2Co 12:3, 4; Rev 2:7
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
1. He did not save himself (32-38)
Jesus did not die for his own sins; he did not even pray for himself. Jesus prayed for those who killed him. The soldiers did not know what they were doing; they only thought of the small material benefit they could get from his clothes. The people who watched did not know what they were saying when they mocked, 'He saved others; let him save himself....' All mankind thoughtlessly contributes to Jesus' death, for Jesus died for all sinners--including those who, in their ignorance, do not take sin seriously. His prayer (34) includes me.
2. Jesus, remember me (39-43)
Jesus hung between two criminals. He took one of them to paradise with him. The other went to hell alone. The one who was saved did not excuse himself nor did he minimize his crimes. He believed that Jesus was Christ the King; he only asked his mercy.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for forgiving my sins. Help me to live as a forgiven sinner, with my hope in your kingdom.
One Word: Father, forgive them