Had they known that they were putting to torture One who had come to save the sinful race from eternal ruin, they would have been seized with remorse and horror. But their ignorance did not remove their guilt; for it was their privilege to know and accept Jesus as their 745 Saviour. Some of them would yet see their sin, and repent, and be converted. Some by their impenitence would make it an impossibility for the prayer of Christ to be answered for them. Yet, just the same, God's purpose was reaching its fulfillment. Jesus was earning the right to become the advocate of men in the Father's presence.

Hvis de havde vidst, at de udleverede ham til tortur, der var kommet for at frelse den syndige slægt fra evig undergang, ville de være blevet grebet af anger og rædsel. Men deres uvidenhed var ingen undskyldning for deres brøde; thi det var deres forrettighed at kende og modtage Jesus som deres Frelser. Nogle af dem ville dog komme til at se deres synd og angre og omvende sig. Nogle ville ved deres hårdnakkethed gøre det umuligt, at Jesu bøn for dem blev opfyldt. Men på trods af det alt sammen var Guds formål ved at nå sin fuldendelse. Jesus erhvervede sig retten til at være menneskers talsmand over for Faderen.