Why did Jesus pray 'Father, forgive them' from the cross?

TL;DR:

Jesus’ famous phrase seemed to be for His immediate persecutors as well as the Jewish leaders and their followers who betrayed Him over to the Romans. Jesus’ merciful plea still stands today as a powerful example of godliness that we should extend to our persecutors.

what does the bible say?

Jesus’ famous quote: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34) was on behalf of the Roman soldiers who were persecuting Him. Although the soldiers were undeniably cruel, they may not have known that He was an innocent man, much less the Son of God (Luke 23:35). Additionally, it appeared to also extend to the Jewish leaders that handed Him over to Pilate in the first place. They should have believed in Jesus as their Messiah, but they failed to do so; however, the apostle Peter later assured Jews that they too could be saved (Acts 3:17–23, 13:27-28). Through Jesus’ quote, we see Him also practicing what He taught in Matthew 5:43–44 to “pray for those who persecute you." This act of great mercy made a lasting impression on Jesus’ followers, most notably Stephen, who while he was being stoned to death said something similar (Acts 7:59–60). Ultimately, Jesus’ compassionate phrase helps us see Jesus for who He truly is and can inspire us to love others in the same way that He did, knowing that if we respond to others’ persecution with godliness we “endure” and “this is a gracious thing in the sight of God” (1 Peter 2:20–21).

from the old testament

Isaiah 53, known as the Suffering Servant messianic prophecy, speaks of the Messiah bearing our sins and making “intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12). Jesus fulfilled this on the cross when He prayed, “Father, forgive them” about those who had persecuted Him, and He continues to fulfill it for sinners today.

from the new testament

Jesus, in praying "Father, forgive them" from the cross, was practicing what He preached in Matthew 5:43–44, which was for us to love our enemies and pray for people who persecute us.
Luke 23:33–34 provides context for Jesus’ plea on the cross: "And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' And they cast lots to divide his garments." The immediate context suggests that Jesus' statement "they know not what they do" refers to the Roman soldiers who, while cruel, were simply carrying out orders.
Jesus’ act of mercy seemingly extended to the Jews who did not recognize Him as the Messiah and took part in His demise. The apostles later preached that both the Jewish people and the leaders could be forgiven for their sin against Jesus. Peter explains this in Acts 3:17–23.
Jesus' prayer "Father, forgive them" impacted many of His followers. Not too long after Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, Stephen followed Christ's example when he was being stoned: "And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' And when he had said this, he fell asleep" (Acts 7:59–60).
The ignorance Jesus mentions in His famous quote covers more than the soldiers on execution duty that day. The Jewish leadership also acted in ignorance. They certainly showed malice in turning Jesus over to Pilate, but they did not know that Jesus was the Messiah. They should have recognized Him, but they did not (Acts 13:27–28).
In the very midst of brutality, Jesus prayed that God would forgive His murderers. We should take after Jesus' example by living out 1 Peter 2:20–21: "But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” Jesus did not lash out in anger against His tormentors, but He left us an example of how we should respond to persecution.

implications for today

The prayer, "Father, forgive them" reveals the purpose of Jesus' death: to provide atonement so sins could be forgiven (Acts 13:38–39). Those being executed would normally confess their sins, but Jesus had no sins to confess. Rather than ask for forgiveness for Himself, He showed the grace and mercy of God by asking forgiveness for the ones responsible for His death. God's forgiveness extended to one of the criminals on a nearby cross: The criminal started out by mocking Jesus but later had a change of heart and received salvation (Luke 23:39–43). Among the Jewish leaders, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea followed Christ (John 19:38–40). Even among the soldiers at the foot of the cross, a centurion uttered a statement of budding faith (Luke 23:47). Jesus' prayer "Father, forgive them" did not grant forgiveness without repentance and faith, but it does show the compassion and kindness that was inherent in Him. And the timing of the prayer is as startling as the content. As nineteenth-century preacher Charles Spurgeon pointed out, "It was not a prayer for enemies who had done him an ill deed years before, but for those who were there and then murdering him. Not in cold blood did the Saviour pray, after he had forgotten the injury, and could the more easily forgive it, but while the first red drops of blood were spurting on the hands which drove the nails; while yet the hammer was bestained with crimson gore, his blessed mouth poured out the fresh warm prayer, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do'" (from Sermon No. 897, October 24, 1869, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in Newington, London).

understand

Jesus prayed for forgiveness for His executioners and betrayers.
Jesus’ prayer models loving enemies and showing mercy.
Jesus’s prayer saying “Father, forgive them” demonstrates His death’s purpose.

reflect

How can you practice Jesus’ example of praying for those who hurt or oppose you?
How does reflecting on Jesus’ mercy challenge your own attitudes toward forgiveness?
How does understanding that Jesus forgave even His persecutors affect the way you respond to others?

engage

How does Jesus’ prayer on the cross deepen our understanding of God’s grace and forgiveness for all people?
What are practical ways we can extend mercy and forgiveness to those who have wronged us, and why should we do this?
How does the context of Jesus praying “Father, forgive them” shape our understanding of the purpose and power of His death?