“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” Luke 23:34

This is an interesting thing to behold. 

Jesus is praying as God the Son to God the Father. 

And, as the Son of God, Jesus knew which of those in the crowd were truly wicked and had rejected Him as the Messiah. He also knew those who were caught up in the moment and joined the riot calling for Him to be crucified. Jesus said that He was going to make intercession and He started that even before He died and ascended to the Father!

Less than 24 hours before the cross, Jesus prayed an intercessory prayer for the disciples and all children of God. In that prayer, Jesus plainly stated that He was not praying for everyone in the world.

“I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.” John 17:9

This text shows us that election is an integral part of salvation. Jesus prays for, provides for, and died for all that the Father “gave Him.” That group is the elect.

So, we can conclude from this that Jesus prayed forgiveness for all that the Father gave Him. And the Father always answers the prayer of the Son!

So, who exactly did Jesus pray for? We do not have the knowledge of who all were among the elect at that time (or now for that matter), but we can see the evidence of their identity in the moments, days, and weeks following the crucifixion. 

One of thieves was obviously included in Jesus prayer. His change from railing on Jesus to giving full confession of his sin, shows evidence of his election, and that God had answered Jesus’ prayer. This prayer is before the thief defends Jesus and asks to be with Him. Who moved first? The man? No, God did. That’s grace!

There were also 3,000 others that were converted on the day of Pentecost. Many of them were among the crowd that were stirred up by the leaders and called for His crucifixion. Never-the-less, Jesus knows those that are His and prays for them!

So, how do we apply this to our discipleship? We do not know whose are the Lord’s so we are to bless (pray for them) that rail on us or despitefully use us. 

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44

“Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” 1Peter 3:9

To judge unto condemnation someone based on what we see them doing is a dangerous thing. We may actually be cursing someone whom Jesus has blessed with prayer!