LUKE 23:34 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT [fn] [But Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”] But, dividing up his robes, they cast a lot.

Some ancient manuscripts include the first part of verse 34.

UST [fn] [But Jesus said, “Father, please forgive these people. They do not realize what they are doing.”] Then the soldiers divided his clothes and gambled with something like dice to determine which piece of clothing each one would get.

Some ancient manuscripts include the first part of verse 34.

BSB Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[fn] And they divided up His garments by casting lots.[fn]

23:34 Some manuscripts do not include Then Jesus said, “Father… what they are doing.”

23:34 See Psalm 22:18.

BLB And Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they cast lots, dividing His garments.

AICNT [[And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.”]][fn]
¶ Dividing up his garments, they cast [lots][fn].[fn]

23:34, And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing: Some manuscripts include. C(04) BYZ TR NA28[[ ]] SBLGNT, THGNT ‖ Absent from 𝔓75 B(03) D(05) W(032) Latin(a) Syriac(sy^s). This verse is double bracketed both in NA28 and the critical edition of Westcott-Hort.

23:34, lots: Absent from Latin(b).

23:34, Psalms 22:18

OEB Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.’ His clothes they divided among them by casting lots.

WEBBE Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
¶ Dividing his garments amongst them, they cast lots.

WMBB Yeshua said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
¶ Dividing his garments amongst them, they cast lots.

NET [But Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”] Then they threw dice to divide his clothes.

LSV And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they have not known what they do”; and parting His garments they cast a lot.

FBV Jesus said, “Father, please forgive them, for they don't know what they're doing.” They divided up his clothes by throwing dice for them.[fn]

23:34 See Psalms 22:18.

TCNT [fn]But Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Then they cast lots to divide his garments.

23:34 But Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” 89.3% • MSS 5.5% ¦ — 1% {Note: NA and WH enclose this text with double brackets.}

T4T Jesus prayed, “My Father, forgive them, because they do not realize whom they are doing this to!” Then the soldiers divided Jesus’ clothing by gambling with something like dice, to decide which piece of clothing each one would get.

LEB 〚But Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”〛[fn] And they cast lots to divide his clothes.

23:34 Many important manuscripts lack v. 34a, “But Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ ”

BBE And Jesus said, Father, let them have forgiveness, for they have no knowledge of what they are doing. And they made division of his clothing among them by the decision of chance.

Moff Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing." Then they distributed his clothes among themselves by drawing lots.

Wymth Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing." And they divided His garments among them, drawing lots for them;

ASV And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And parting his garments among them, they cast lots.

DRA And Jesus said: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. But they, dividing his garments, cast lots.

YLT And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they have not known what they do;' and parting his garments they cast a lot.

Drby And Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And, parting out his garments, they cast lots.

RV And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And parting his garments among them, they cast lots.

SLT And Jesus said, Father, let them go; for they know not what they do. And having divided his garments, they cast lots.

Wbstr Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them: for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

KJB-1769 ¶ Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
(¶ Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment/clothing, and cast lots. )

KJB-1611 ¶ Then said Iesus, Father, forgiue them, for they know not what they doe: And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation)

Bshps Then said Iesus, Father forgeue the, for they wote not what they do. And they parted his rayment, & cast lottes.
(Then said Yesus/Yeshua, Father forgive them, for they wote not what they do. And they parted his raiment/clothing, and cast lots.)

Gnva Then sayd Iesus, Father, forgiue them: for they know not what they doe. And they parted his raiment, and cast lottes.
(Then said Yesus/Yeshua, Father, forgive them: for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment/clothing, and cast lots. )

Cvdl But Iesus sayde: Father, forgeue them, for they wote not what they do. And they parted his garmentes, and cast lottes therfore.
(But Yesus/Yeshua said: Father, forgive them, for they wote not what they do. And they parted his garments, and cast lots therefore.)

TNT Then sayde Iesus: father forgeve them for they woot not what they do. And they parted his rayment and cast loottes.
(Then said Yesus/Yeshua: father forgive them for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment/clothing and cast loottes. )

Wycl But Jhesus seide, Fadir, foryyue hem, for thei witen not what thei doon.
(But Yhesus said, Father, forgive hem, for they perceive not what they done.)

Luth JEsus aber sprach: Vater, vergib ihnen; denn sie wissen nicht was sie tun. Und sie teileten seine Kleider und warfen das Los darum.
(Yesus but spoke: father, forgive to_them; because/than they/she/them realise not what/which they/she/them do/put. And they/she/them sharedn his clothes and threw the lot therefore.)

ClVg Jesus autem dicebat: Pater, dimitte illis: non enim sciunt quid faciunt. Dividentes vero vestimenta ejus, miserunt sortes.[fn]
(Yesus however he_said: Pater, let_go to_them: not/no because they_know what they_do. Diseeing indeed/however clothes his, they_sent by_lots. )

23.34 Jesus autem, etc. Quia Lucas Christi sacerdotium scribere disposuit, recte Dominus apud Deum pro persecutoribus jure sacerdotis intercedit, et latroni confitenti paradisum pandit, nec frustra orat, sed pro eis qui post passionem ejus crediderunt, impetrat. Non pro eis orat, qui per invidiam et superbiam Filium Dei intellexerunt, negant et crucifigunt, sed pro eis qui zelam Dei habentes, sed non secundum scientiam, nescierunt quid fecerunt. Dividentes. De his Joannes latius. Quadripartita vestis significat Ecclesiam toto orbe, quæ quatuor partibus constat, diffusam, omnibus partibus æqualiter, id est, concorditer distributam. Tunica sortita, omnium partium significat unitatem, quæ charitatis vinculo continetur. Sortes. In sorte Dei gratia commendata est. Sic quippe in uno ad omnes pervenit, cum sors omnibus placuit, quia et Dei gratia in unitate ad omnes pervenit, et cum sors mittitur, non personæ cujusquam vel meritis, sed occulto Dei judicio creditur.

23.34 Yesus however, etc. Because Lucas of_Christ priesthood to_write arranged, correctly/straight Master at God for persecutoribus right/justly of_the_priest intercedit, and robbers confitenti paradise pandit, but_not in_vain prays, but for to_them who/which after passion his they_believed, impetrat. Not/No for to_them prays, who/which through envy and pride Son of_God they_understood, they_deny and they_crucify, but for to_them who/which zelam of_God having, but not/no after/second knowledge, they_did_not_know what they_did. Diseeing. From/About his Yoannes wider. Quadripartita clothing means assembly/church throughout around_the_world, which four parts it_is_agreed/certain, widespreadm, to_all parts equalter, that it_is, concorditer distributam. Tunica lucky, of_all partium means unity, which of_charity vinculo is_contained. Lots. In by_lot of_God grace recommended it_is. So indeed/sure in/into/on one to everyone arrived, when/with fate/divination to_all it_pleased, because and of_God grace in/into/on unity to everyone arrived, and when/with fate/divination is_sent, not/no personæ anyone's or merits, but hide of_God judgement it_is_believed.

UGNT διαμεριζόμενοι δὲ τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ, ἔβαλον κλῆρον.
(diamerizomenoi de ta himatia autou, ebalon klaʸron.)

SBL-GNT ⸂ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς ἔλεγεν· Πάτερ, ἄφες αὐτοῖς, οὐ γὰρ οἴδασιν τί ποιοῦσιν.⸃ διαμεριζόμενοι δὲ τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ ἔβαλον ⸀κλήρους.
(⸂ho de Yaʸsous elegen; Pater, afes autois, ou gar oidasin ti poiousin.⸃ diamerizomenoi de ta himatia autou ebalon ⸀klaʸrous.)

RP-GNT Ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς ἔλεγεν, Πάτερ, ἄφες αὐτοῖς· οὐ γὰρ οἴδασιν τί ποιοῦσιν. Διαμεριζόμενοι δὲ τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ, ἔβαλον κλῆρον.
(Ho de Yaʸsous elegen, Pater, afes autois; ou gar oidasin ti poiousin. Diamerizomenoi de ta himatia autou, ebalon klaʸron.)

TC-GNT [fn]Ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς ἔλεγε, Πάτερ, ἄφες αὐτοῖς· οὐ γὰρ οἴδασι τί ποιοῦσι. Διαμεριζόμενοι δὲ τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ, [fn]ἔβαλον [fn]κλῆρον.
(Ho de Yaʸsous elege, Pater, afes autois; ou gar oidasi ti poiousi. Diamerizomenoi de ta himatia autou, ebalon klaʸron. )

23:34 ο δε ιησους ελεγε πατερ αφες αυτοις ου γαρ οιδασιν τι ποιουσιν 89.3% ¦ ο δε ιησους ειπε πατερ αφες αυτοις ου γαρ οιδασιν τι ποιουσιν MSS 5.5% ¦ — 1% {Note: NA and WH enclose this text with double brackets.}

23:34 εβαλον ¦ εβαλλον ANT

23:34 κληρον ¦ κληρους NA SBL

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 23:26–43: Soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross

In this section the Roman soldiers did what their commander Pontius Pilate had ordered them to do. They led Jesus outside the town to the place where they crucified criminals. There they nailed Jesus on a cross. They did the same to two other men, who were criminals. Then they made the three men hang there until they died. The Jewish leaders, the soldiers, and even one of the criminals mocked Jesus. But the other criminal believed in him.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

The Crucifixion (NIV)

Jesus Is Nailed to a Cross (CEV)

Roman soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 27:31–44, Mark 15:21–32, and John 19:17–27.

23:34a–b

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”: There is a textual issue here. Some Greek manuscripts do not include 23:34a–b. However, all English versions include it.Most of these versions (NIV, GNT, ESV, NASB, NLT, CEV, GW, REB) include it without brackets. Only NRSV and NET use brackets. All the preceding versions include a footnote. BSB, RSV, KJV, and JBP do not use brackets or include a footnote. Most English versions also add a footnote. For example, the CEV has this note:

These words are not in some manuscripts. (CEV)

It is recommended that you include 23:34a–b in your translation. You may also want to include a footnote. In some languages it may be helpful to include your translation of 23:34a–b in the footnote. For example:

Some Greek manuscripts do not have the words, “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’”

23:34a

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them,

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive^(sing) them for doing this to me,
Then Jesus prayed for/about the people who crucified him, “Father God, pardon them,
Jesus said to God, “My Father, please do not punish them for crucifying me,

Then: In Greek, 23:34 begins with a conjunction that is often translated as “and” or “but.” The BSB translates this word as Then. It introduces what Jesus prayed when the soldiers crucified him. Connect these events in a way that is natural in your language.

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them…”: Here Jesus prayed for the people who crucified him. This may include the Roman soldiers, the Jewish people and the Roman leaders, and even the crowd in general. The word them does not refer back to the criminals who were crucified with him.

Some ways to indicate who Jesus referred to here are:

Jesus said, “Father, forgive these people!…” (CEV)

Jesus prayed for those who crucified him, saying, “Father, forgive them…”

Father: Here Jesus addressed God as Father. If it is not clear that Jesus was referring to God, you may need to make it explicit. For example:

Father God

In some languages, it may be more natural to supply a pronoun here. For example:

My Father

forgive them: The phrase forgive them is a prayer for God to forgive them for crucifying Jesus. In some languages it may be necessary to say what God should forgive. For example:

forgive them for what they are doing to me

forgive: Here the Greek word that the BSB translates as forgive means “pardon.” When someone pardons people who have sinned against him, he decides not to punish them or seek revenge against them. He also decides that he will not continue to be angry or resentful toward them.

Some possible ways to translate forgive are:

pardon

free…from the sin/punishment

forget/cancel…wrongdoing

The word was also used of God forgiving sins in 11:4. See how you translated it there.

23:34b

for they do not know what they are doing.”

because they do not understand what they are doing.”
for they do not know/realize that what they are doing is a terrible sin/evil.”

for they do not know what they are doing: This clause gives the reason that God should forgive the people who crucified Jesus. God should forgive them because they did not realize that they sinned by crucifying Jesus. They knew that they were crucifying him, but they did not know that it was a terrible sin. Another way to translate this reason is:

because they don’t know what they are doing (NCV)

know: In this context the word know means “understand, realize the meaning of” an action.Definition based on oida meaning 4, BDAG, p. 694. The people did not realize that they were crucifying the Son of God. Some other ways to translate know in this context are:

understand

realize

what they are doing: The clause what they are doing refers to the sin of crucifying Jesus. In some languages it may be necessary to make this more explicit. For example:

the sin that they are doing

23:34c

And they divided up His garments by casting lots.

Then the soldiers threw lots/dice to share his clothes among them.
Meanwhile, the soldiers threw marked stones/dice to decide who would get each item of Jesus’ clothing.

And: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as And introduces another event that happened after soldiers put Jesus on the cross. The event was not part of what Jesus said in 23:34b. Some other ways to introduce the event are:

Meanwhile (GW)

While the crowd stood there watching (CEV)

As for the soldiersKankanaey back translation on TW.

Introduce this event in a natural way in your language.

they divided up His garments by casting lots: The phrase they divided up His garments indicates that the soldiers did a certain action to decide who would get the different items of Jesus’ clothing. It does not imply that they tore his clothes into pieces and distributed the pieces among themselves.

The Romans had a custom that the soldiers who crucified a criminal had the right to take his clothes for themselves.Marshall (p. 868) says that “the executioners proceeded, according to custom…to divide out the clothes of Jesus among themselves by casting lots for them.” Jesus’ clothing probably included an outer robe, a tunic (a shirt worn under the robe), and perhaps also a belt and sandals. Jesus’ clothing included an outer robe, a tunic (a shirt worn under the robe), and probably also a belt and sandals. The soldiers decided which of them would get each piece of clothing by casting lots. See the next note for more information.

Some other ways to translate this part of the verse are:

they threw lots to decide who would get his clothes (NCV)

they drew lots for Jesus’ clothes in order to share them outKankanaey back translation on TW.

This action fulfilled the prophecy in Psalm 22:18. You made want to include a footnote or cross reference to this verse.

casting lots: The phrase casting lots tells what the soldiers did to decide which of them would take various items of clothing. They threw small objects, like dice, pebbles, or sticks, on the ground. Then they looked at the way these things fell. Casting lots was a custom that was used to make difficult decisions. It was a way to decide these things by chance. Another way to translate the phrase is:

throwing dice (GNT)

If you have a similar way to decide something by chance, consider using it here. If not, you may use a general expression. For example:

gambled for his clothes (CEV)

played a game of luck

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: translate-textvariants

See the discussion of textual issues at the end of the General Notes to this chapter to decide whether to include the first sentence of this verse in your translation. The next four notes below discuss translation issues in the sentence, for those who decide to include it.

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

δὲ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: διαμεριζόμενοι Δέ τά ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ ἔβαλον κλῆρον)

Luke uses the word But to introduce a contrast between what the Roman soldiers were doing to Jesus and the way in which Jesus responded. It would appropriate to indicate a strong contrast here. Alternate translation: [Nevertheless]

Note 3 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be helpful in your language, you could reverse the order of the first two phrases of this verse, since the first phrase gives the reason for the result that is in the second phrase. Alternate translation: [Father, they do not know what they are doing, so please forgive them]

Note 4 topic: guidelines-sonofgodprinciples

Father is an important title for God.

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / imperative

The phrase forgive them contains an imperative, but it should be translated as a request, rather than as a command. It may be helpful to add an expression such as “please” to make this clear. Alternate translation: [please forgive them]

Note 6 topic: writing-pronouns

διαμεριζόμενοι δὲ τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ, ἔβαλον κλῆρον

dividing (Some words not found in SR-GNT: διαμεριζόμενοι Δέ τά ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ ἔβαλον κλῆρον)

The pronoun they refers to the Roman soldiers. Alternate translation: [Then the Roman soldiers cast a lot to decide which of them would get each piece of Jesus’ clothing]

Note 7 topic: translate-unknown

ἔβαλον κλῆρον

˱they˲_cast ˓a˒_lot

The term lot refers to an object with different markings on various sides that would be used to decide randomly among several possibilities. It would be tossed onto the ground to see which marked side would come up on top. If your readers would not be familiar with a lot, you could state that they it was “something like dice,” as UST does. But if your readers would also not be familiar with dice, then you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: [the Roman soldiers gambled]

Parallel LUKE 23:34

Section 23:26–43: Soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross

23:34a–b

23:34a

23:34b

23:34c

Jesus’ Arrest, Trial, Crucifixion, and Burial