They knew very well what they were doing. They plotted his death down to the last detail. Furthermore, they paid a traitor, and they manipulated the Romans. It was clever. Jesus used their ignorance as a reason for forgiving them. Thousands knew who Jesus was. Jesus uttered that prayer in fulfilment of prophecy.
The proof of Christ’s identity can be seen in Isaiah 53:12 He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.
They fulfilled the prophecy of their own scriptures in that terrible act.
In this chapter, the incarnation, preaching, humiliation, rejection, sufferings, death, atonement, resurrection, and mediation of Jesus Christ are all predicted, together with the prevalence of his Gospel, and the extension of his kingdom through all ages. (Believers Bible)
Irrefutable proof that Jesus was the Messiah
(1) The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4-6)
(2) The Messiah will be a descendant of Jacob. (Numbers 24:17; Matthew 1:2)
(3) The Messiah will enter Jerusalem as a king riding on a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9; Mark 11:4-11)
(4) The Messiah will be betrayed by a friend. (Psalm 41:9; Luke 22:47,48)
(5) The Messiah's betrayal money will be used to purchase a potter's field. (Zechariah 11:13; Matthew 27:9,10)
(6) The Messiah will be spat upon and struck. (Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 26:67)
(7) The Messiah's hands and feet will be pierced. (Psalm 22:16; John 20:25-27)
(8) Soldiers will gamble for the Messiah's garments. (Psalm 22:18; Luke 23:34)
They killed the Messiah! People should be hanging their heads in shame instead of defending this terrible atrocity.
First of all "they" are long dead and people of this day and age are not responsible for what they did.
Like the Son who submitted to His Fathers will you should put your will aside and submit to Christ's will.
Example: "Father in keeping with the will of my Lord forgive them for they know not what they do"
3rd Those people didn't believe in Jesus and He stated, "they know not what they do".
4th Jesus Himself could have stopped it but He submitted to the Fathers will.
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and
he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
Nevertheless the Gospel was preached to them
“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you
by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,(gentiles) put him to death by nailing him to the cross
And many came to the faith.
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about
three thousand were added to their number
that day
later
So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a
large number of priests became obedient to the faith.