Lyrics
(Choir)
Jerusalem on a dusty road
An innocent man condemned to death
Bore a cross on his shoulders
they didn't know
Down the via dolorosa
He staggered in agony
As he looked upon the hatred
In the eyes of his own seed
They didn't know
(Lead)
They didn't know
He was enduring this for them
So they could live forever more
In paradise with him
They didn't know one day they'd sing his praise
With fear and trembling
They didn't recognize the king that kings called king
(Choir)
He didn't have to die for me
He could have just set himself free
He could have come down from the cross at Calvary
(Lead)
But instead He was wounded for our transgressions
and He was bruised for our iniquity
(Choir)
And by his stripes we are healed
oh what an awesome price He paid for me
The hung him high
And stretched him wide
They nailed his hands and feet
And pierced him in the side
They didn't know
Look at my savior hanging there
Suffering, bleeding, dying for me and you
Oh Jesus never said a mumbling word but father they know not what they do
And He bowed his head, hung his head and He died (2x)
My Jesus bowed his head hung his head and He died(2x)
But on the third day
On the third day (2x)
Jesus rose
He rose (3x)
Jesus rose
Victoriously
Triumphantly
With authority
He rose
Rose (2x)
He rose
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“They Didn’t Know” retells the crucifixion through the contrast between Christ’s identity and the crowd’s failure to recognize him. The dusty road, the cross, and the suffering at Calvary place the song firmly within the Passion narrative. Its central claim is that Jesus endured rejection and death for others, while language about wounds, transgressions, iniquity, and healing closely echoes Isaiah’s description of the suffering servant. The alternating choir and lead parts give the account the character of shared confession rather than detached observation.
The closing movement turns from grief to victory. After dwelling on Christ’s death, the lyric announces that Jesus rose on the third day “victoriously” and “with authority.” That progression presents resurrection as the answer to the apparent defeat of the cross. The song therefore holds sacrifice and triumph together: those present did not understand what was unfolding, but the resurrection reveals the kingship they had overlooked. Its message centers on redemption, gratitude, and worship before the risen Christ.
Related Scripture
- Isaiah 53:5 The lyric directly echoes the servant wounded for transgressions and bringing healing through his wounds.
- Luke 23:33-34 Jesus is crucified and asks the Father to forgive those who do not know what they are doing.
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Paul summarizes Christ’s death for sins, burial, and resurrection on the third day.