The rulers are the high priestly family and members of the Sanhedrin who indicted Jesus of blasphemy and handed him over to Pilate for trial and execution (Luke 22:66–71). Since they did not understand that Jesus was the Messiah, there were some mitigating factors in their first rejection of him (see Luke 23:34).1 Had they properly attended to the ministry of Jesus, however, they would not have been ignorant.2
17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.