"I didn't know that."

"Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left.

And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.'

And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching; but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, 'He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!' The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him vinegar, and saying, 'If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!' There was also an inscription over him, 'This is the King of the Jews.'" (Luke 23: 32-38)


Why did he have to say, "Forgive them; for they know not what they do"?

I believe it was because he knew clearly that in the realm of law, they would be held accountable and thus would be punished for the crime they had committed even if they did it out of their ignorance of what they had been doing, or, ignorance of certain truth.

In other words, in the realm of law, there is no excuse such as, "I didn't know." You will be held accountable for what you do even if you do it out of your ignorance.

Therefore, without a intersession given by someone like him, you would have no hope to get rid of the consequence.

So, be careful what you say and what you do. Don't think you will be ok if you say, "Oh, I didn't know that."