Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 23:34
(34) Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.—Again, the silence is broken, not by the cry of anguish or sigh of passionate complaint, but by words of tenderest pity and intercession. It is well, however, that we should remember who were the primary direct objects of that prayer. Not Pilate, for he knew that he had condemned the innocent; not the chief priests and scribes, for their sin, too, was against light and knowledge. Those for whom our Lord then prayed were clearly the... read more
John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 23:1-56
Trial Before Pilate and Herod. The Crucifixion and Burial1-5. The trial before Pilate begins (Matthew 27:1-2, Matthew 27:11-14; Mark 15:1-5; John 18:28-38). See on Mt and Jn.6-12. Trial before Herod (peculiar to Lk). ’By sending Jesus to Herod the clever Roman gained two ends at once. First, he got rid of the business which was imposed on him, and then he took the first step towards a reconciliation with Herod (Luke 23:12). The cause of their quarrel had probably been some conflict of... read more