📖 Bible Study 7.5: Father, Forgive Them

Bible Study Purpose

This Bible study examines Jesus’ prayer from the cross and explores how Christ holds forgiveness, truth, suffering, justice, and mercy together.

The study does not teach that Christians must remain in unsafe situations, abandon accountability, or immediately reconcile with unrepentant people.

Primary Passage

Read Luke 23:32–43.

Pay special attention to Luke 23:33–34:

“When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.’”

Supporting Passages

Read:

• Isaiah 53:4–12

• Acts 7:54–60

• Romans 12:14–21

• 1 Peter 2:21–23

• Colossians 3:12–13

Setting the Scene

Jesus’ prayer was spoken during an act of terrible injustice.

He had been falsely accused, mocked, beaten, and condemned to crucifixion. Roman soldiers drove nails into his body. Religious and political leaders participated in the events leading to his death. Onlookers mocked him while he suffered.

Jesus did not call these actions good.

The cross reveals the seriousness of human sin.

Yet from within that suffering, Jesus prayed:

“Father, forgive them.”

Jesus entrusted the offenders and the outcome to his Father.

He refused to answer cruelty with cruelty.

His prayer expressed mercy while he remained the innocent victim of injustice.

Observation

What Do You See in the Passage?

Who was present at the crucifixion?

What actions were being committed against Jesus?

What did Jesus ask the Father to do?

What reason did Jesus include in his prayer?

How did the people surrounding Jesus respond to his suffering?

What did one criminal recognize about Jesus?

What promise did Jesus give the repentant criminal?

Interpretation

Jesus Named God as Father

Even while suffering, Jesus remained grounded in his relationship with the Father.

He did not allow his enemies to define God’s character or his own identity.

What does Jesus’ address, “Father,” reveal about his trust?

Jesus Prayed Rather Than Retaliated

Jesus did not threaten his executioners.

First Peter 2:23 says:

“When he was cursed, he didn’t curse back. When he suffered, he didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously.”

Jesus entrusted himself to the righteous Judge.

How is entrusting judgment to God different from declaring that wrongdoing does not matter?

Jesus Asked for Forgiveness

Jesus’ prayer shows extraordinary mercy.

The people responsible were not standing before him with complete apologies and fully repaired relationships.

Jesus placed the matter before his Father.

What does this teach about the possibility of beginning forgiveness before an offender fully repents?

What does this passage not promise about immediate trust or reconciliation?

“They Don’t Know What They Are Doing”

Ignorance can affect responsibility, but ignorance does not make crucifixion good.

The people were participating in a real act of injustice even though they did not fully understand the identity of Jesus or the significance of their actions.

How can Christians recognize limited understanding without excusing harmful behavior?

Mercy and Justice at the Cross

The cross displays both divine mercy and divine justice.

Jesus bears sin rather than pretending it does not exist.

Grace is offered at an immeasurable cost.

Read Isaiah 53:5:

“But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed.”

How does the cross show that forgiveness does not call evil good?

How does the cross reveal the costliness of mercy?

Stephen’s Prayer

Read Acts 7:54–60.

As Stephen was being killed, he prayed:

“Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!”

Stephen’s prayer echoes the prayer of Jesus.

Stephen did not deny that the crowd was committing sin. He explicitly called it sin while asking that it not be held against them.

What similarities do you see between Jesus’ prayer and Stephen’s prayer?

How did Stephen combine truth and mercy?

Overcoming Evil With Good

Read Romans 12:17–21.

Paul tells believers:

• not to repay evil for evil

• to pursue peace when possible

• not to seek personal revenge

• to leave vengeance in God’s hands

• to overcome evil with good

What responsibilities remain with the Christian?

What judgment belongs to God?

Why is overcoming evil with good different from ignoring evil?

What Jesus’ Prayer Does Not Mean

“Father, forgive them” does not mean:

• crucifixion was acceptable

• injustice should remain hidden

• victims must deny their suffering

• harmful people should receive unlimited access

• trust must immediately be restored

• legal consequences are always inappropriate

• reconciliation can be forced

• grief demonstrates spiritual failure

• Christians must remain in danger

Jesus’ prayer places judgment and mercy into the Father’s hands.

It does not turn evil into good.

Applying the GRACE Forgiveness Tool

G — Ground Yourself in God’s Grace

What grace do you see in Jesus’ words from the cross?

R — Recognize the Truth

What wrongdoing and suffering does Luke 23 describe?

A — Ask, Accept, or Act

What does Jesus ask the Father to do?

What grace might a Christian need to accept before extending mercy?

C — Choose Release and Wise Repair

How does Jesus refuse retaliation without denying the injustice?

What truthful or protective actions may still be appropriate when Christians forgive?

E — Entrust the Outcome to Christ

What does 1 Peter 2:23 teach about entrusting judgment to God?

Personal Reflection

You may answer privately or use a fictional situation.

What part of Jesus’ prayer is most challenging to understand or practice?

Is there a person, memory, or unresolved outcome you need to place into Christ’s hands?

What boundary, accountability measure, or wise next step might coexist with forgiveness?

Closing Prayer

Father,

Thank you for the mercy revealed in Jesus Christ.

Jesus suffered injustice without calling evil good.

He refused retaliation and entrusted himself to you, the One who judges righteously.

Ground us in the grace of the cross.

Help us tell the truth about sin, suffering, responsibility, and loss.

Protect us from hatred, vengeance, denial, and false guilt.

Give us wisdom to pursue justice, establish boundaries, make appropriate repair, and seek peace when peace is possible.

Teach us to release personal vengeance and entrust unresolved outcomes to you.

Through the crucified and risen Jesus Christ,

Amen.