Matthew 27

We know that in the middle of the night, as the Sanhedrin looked for false witnesses in order to justify and condemn the Savior, we read -

"Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,
61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days." (New Testament | Matthew 26:59 - 61)

Initially it appears that these men did not necessarily understand what the Savior meant in building the Temple of God in three days.  But later we know they did understand for after the cruxificion and death of the Savior that -

"...the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch."  (New Testament | Matthew 27:62 - 66)

These men knew exactly what they were doing.  When the Savior said -

"...Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."  (New Testament | Luke 23:34)

I believe He was referring to the Romans only.