• “To Know the Love of the Christ”
    Draw Close to Jehovah

    • “Father, Forgive Them”

      16. How was Jesus’ willingness to forgive evident even when he was on the torture stake?

      16 Jesus perfectly reflected his Father’s love in another important way​—he was “ready to forgive.” (Psalm 86:5) This willingness was evident even when he was on the torture stake. Subjected to a shameful death, with nails piercing his hands and feet, what did Jesus speak about? Did he call out to Jehovah to punish his executioners? On the contrary, among Jesus’ last words were: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”​—Luke 23:34.b

  • “To Know the Love of the Christ”
    Draw Close to Jehovah

    • b The first part of Luke 23:34 is omitted from certain ancient manuscripts. However, because these words are found in many other authoritative manuscripts, they are included in the New World Translation and numerous other translations. Jesus was likely referring to the Roman soldiers who executed him. They did not know what they were doing; they were ignorant of who Jesus really was. He perhaps also had in mind Jews who called for his execution but would later put faith in him. (Acts 2:36-38) Of course, the religious leaders who instigated that execution were far more reprehensible, for they acted knowingly and maliciously. For many of them, no forgiveness was possible.​—John 11:45-53.