And now, brethren, I know that through ignorance you did it, as did also your rulers.
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Ambrosiaster
AD 400
Paul also says that the Jews did not believe in Christ because they were ignorant (Rom. 10:3). They wanted to show their zeal for God, but not knowing his will or plan, they acted against him even though they claimed to be defending him. Paul says of them that it was not out of malice or envy but out of ignorance that they did not accept Christ. Not realizing that this was the Christ whom God had promised, they said they were waiting for someone else. Preferring the righteousness which they had from the law over him who is the righteousness of God in faith.
Christ had not prayed for them in vain. He did not say in vain, "Father. forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing. (Lk. 23:34)" From their number, a very great many believed.
But to all rational souls it was said from above, "Whatever one of you has done in ignorance, without clearly knowing God, if, on becoming conscious, he repent, all his sins will be forgiven him."
But those of lesser degree---namely, the common folk---who had not grasped the mysteries of the Scriptures, did not fully comprehend that He was the Christ or the Son of God. For although some of them believed in Him, yet the multitude did not; and if they doubted sometimes whether He was the Christ, on account of the manifold signs and force of His teaching, as is stated Jn. 7:31,41, nevertheless they were deceived afterwards by their rulers, so that they did not believe Him to be the Son of God or the Christ. Hence Peter said to them: "I know that you did it through ignorance, as did also your rulers"---namely, because they were seduced by the rulers.
