And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
Christ gave proof He was the gentle Lamb Isaiah foretold, not merely abstaining from revenge but pleading with God the Father for the salvation of His tormentors. This surpasses mere patience; it is the far higher virtue to pray that God would forgive His enemies, and He did so knowing God's righteous judgment would fall upon the obstinate.
AI summary
In these verses we have, I. Divers passages which we had before in Matthew and Mark concerning Christ's sufferings. 1. That there were two others, malefactors, led with him to the place of execution, who, it is probable, had been for some time under sentence of death, and were designed to be executed on this day, which was probably the pretence for making such haste...
Commenting on Luke 23:32-43
And the soldiers also mocked him,.... The Roman soldiers, to whom the execution was committed, who crucified him, and parted his garments, and stood at his cross watching; these joined in the insult, which is not to be wondered at. Coming to him and offering him vinegar; which was what was a part of their allowance, and was their drink; See Gill on Joh 19:29. .