Church Fathers Commentary Luke 23:34-37

"And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And parting his garments among them, they cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also scoffed at him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, offering him vinegar, and saying, If thou art the King of the Jews, save thyself." — Luke 23:34-37 (ASV)

St. John Chrysostom: Because the Lord had said, Pray for them that persecute you, He also did this when He ascended the cross, as it follows when Jesus said, Father, forgive them. This was not because He was unable to pardon them Himself, but so that He might teach us to pray for our persecutors, not only in word, but also in deed. But He says, "Forgive them," if they repent. For He is gracious to the penitent, if they are willing after such great wickedness to wash away their guilt by faith.

The Venerable Bede: For should we imagine here that He prayed in vain, or that He obtained the fruit of His prayers only in those who believed after His passion? It must be noted, however, that He did not pray for those who chose to crucify rather than to confess Him whom they knew to be the Son of God. He prayed instead for those who were ignorant of what they did, having a zeal for God but not according to knowledge, as He adds, For they know not what they do.

Greek Expositors: But for those who remain in unbelief after the crucifixion, no one can suppose they are excused by ignorance, because of the notable miracles that proclaimed with a loud voice that He is the Son of God.

St. Ambrose of Milan: It is important, then, to consider the condition in which He ascends the cross, for I see Him naked. Let him, then, who prepares to overcome the world, ascend in such a way that he seeks none of the world's comforts. Adam, who sought a covering, was overcome; He who laid aside His covering, overcame.

He ascends as nature formed us, with God as our Creator. Just as the first man dwelt in paradise, so the second man entered paradise. But, about to ascend the cross, He rightly laid aside His royal garments, so that you may know that He suffered not as God but as man, even though Christ is both.

St. Athanasius of Alexandria: He who for our sakes took upon Himself all our conditions also put on our garments—the signs of Adam’s death—so that He might put them off and, in their place, clothe us with life and incorruption.

It follows, And they parted his raiment among them, and cast lots.

Theophylact of Ohrid: For perhaps many of them were in need. Or perhaps they did this as a reproach and from a kind of wantonness. For what treasure did they find in His garments?

The Venerable Bede: But in the casting of the lot, the grace of God seems to be commended; for when the lot is cast, we do not yield to the merits of any person, but to the secret judgment of God.

St. Augustine of Hippo: This matter was indeed briefly related by the first three Evangelists, but John explains more distinctly how it was done.

Theophylact of Ohrid: They did it, then, mockingly. For when the rulers scoffed, what can we say of the crowd? For it follows: And the people stood (who in truth had pleaded that He should be crucified, waiting for the outcome), and the rulers also with them derided.

St. Augustine of Hippo: Having mentioned the rulers and said nothing of the priests, St. Luke included all the chief men under a general name, so that by this we may understand both the scribes and the elders.

The Venerable Bede: And these also unwillingly confess that He saved others, for it follows, Saying, He saved others, let him save himself, etc.

St. Athanasius of Alexandria: Now our Lord, being truly the Savior, did not wish to be acknowledged as the Savior by saving Himself, but by saving His creatures. For a physician is not known as a physician by healing himself, unless he also gives proof of his skill toward the sick. So the Lord, being the Savior, had no need of salvation.

He did not wish to be acknowledged as the Savior by descending from the cross, but by dying. For the death of the Savior truly brings a much greater salvation to humanity than descending from the cross would have.

Greek Expositors: Now the Devil, seeing that there was no escape for him, was at a loss. Having no other recourse, he tried at last to offer Him vinegar to drink. But he did not know that he was doing this against himself.

For he now surrendered to the Savior the bitterness of wrath caused by the transgression of the law, in which he had kept all men bound. The Savior took and consumed it, so that in place of vinegar, He might give us the wine that wisdom had mixed.

Theophylact of Ohrid: But the soldiers offered Christ vinegar, as if ministering to a king, for it follows, saying, If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.

The Venerable Bede: It is also worthy of note that the Jews blaspheme and mock the name of Christ, which was given to them by the authority of Scripture, whereas the soldiers, being ignorant of the Scriptures, do not insult Christ, the chosen of God, but the King of the Jews.