With each Good Friday, Christians worldwide take time to reflect on the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, as it is one of the most pivotal moments for believers. The 7 last sayings that Jesus spoke on the CrossCross are also important as they give lessons that all Christians can learn from. So, what did Jesus say on the CrossCross?
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” “Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise,” “Woman, here is your son,” “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”, “I am thirsty,” “It is finished,” and “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” are the 7 last statements that Jesus said on the CrossCross.
Read on to find out the meaning of the 7 last sayings of Jesus Christ before He died. We shall look at them contextually and draw out teachings that Christians can learn from these words. Also, expect to find all the relevant Bible references you need on the topic.
7 Last Sayings of Jesus on the CrossCross
The 7 last sayings of Jesus, while He died on the CrossCross, are reflected by many Christians, especially during the Easter season. They give insight into Jesus’ thoughts during that final moment. Let’s have a look at them:
“Father, Forgive Them, For They Know Not What They Do”
Jesus, in Luke 13:34, cries this out as a plea to His Heavenly Father. He is referencing the men that are crucifying Him and how they are yet to recognize Him as the True Messiah. These are very powerful words spoken during His last moments as they show Jesus’ ultimate level of forgiveness and grace. Even at the most trying times, Jesus showed mercy to those crucifying Him and wanted God to do the same. Christians can learn how to extend mercy and forgiveness to even those who persecute them through these words. We are also aware of the forgiveness given to us through Jesus’ death and how we are freed from sin.
“I Tell You the Truth, Today You Will Be with Me in Paradise”
These words were spoken in Luke 23:43. In the verse earlier (Luke 23:42), one of the criminals being crucified alongside Jesus had said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom,” which was an acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Messiah. Jesus then promised that the criminal shall be with Him in Heaven. By these words, we can see that Jesus shows complete grace, forgiveness, and salvation for the man that was a criminal. This teaches Christians that regardless of our sins, we can still be in Paradise even at the last hour. Salvation is available to those that are penitent. The criminal acknowledged His sinfulness and was forgiven by Christ.
“Dear Woman, Here Is Your Son!” And “Here Is Your Mother”
This is captured in John 19:26-27. Jesus, while on the CrossCross, saw His mother, the Virgin Mary, and His disciple, John. He commits Mary to John’s care and gives John the responsibility of taking care of her. It is evident from these words that Jesus is showing love for His mother in a manner that illustrates His humanity and love. Even at crucifixion, His mother was still in His thoughts. Here many Christians can relate to and understand the importance of showing love and care for others. At the time, it was also the law for firstborn sons to take care of their parents, and so, even till the end, Jesus was obedient and showed His respect for the law (Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them”). These words have also been interpreted to be Jesus’ way of making Mary the mother of all the faithful.
“My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?”
Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 show how Jesus, in a state of suffering, utters these words. He was nearing His death and cried out to God in desperation. These are the exact words in Psalms 22:1 (“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?”). This is a prophetic fulfillment of the verse, as Jesus mentions the same words on the CrossCross. In these words, Jesus shows His human emotions by displaying loneliness, despair, abandonment, and fear. He felt the weight of the world’s sins and felt disconnected from God for the first time. Many Christians can relate to these feelings in their journey of faith, and it is comforting to know that Jesus felt the same way on the CrossCross. With these words, Jesus showed His humanity again.
“I Am Thirsty”
These words are found in John 19:28. Initially, Jesus rejected the wine, gall, and myrrh that was offered to help Him through the crucifixion, but later, in this verse, Jesus expressed thirst and accepted the drink from the Roman guard. This is another fulfillment of a prophecy found in Psalm 69:21 “They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.” A recurring theme that Jesus expresses through His last words is His human nature, feelings, and emotions in the face of trial. It illustrates to Christians how Jesus is truly the perfect God and the perfect Man simultaneously. Jesus was not only referring to physical thirst at this moment. Many Christians believe that He was also expressing His longing for us to be with Him and love Him.
“It Is Finished!”
These words are found in John 19:30. They are not in any other Gospel and are translated from the Greek word ‘tetelestai,’ which means ‘paid in full.’ These are significant words to the Christian faith as they illustrate the end of Jesus’ life on Earth as a human, the end of His suffering, and most importantly, the redemption of mankind. Jesus fulfilled His purpose on Earth, which was to “seek and save that which is lost” (Luke 19:10). God’s wrath also came to an end with these words. This statement also signifies the fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecies, symbols, and foreshadowings of the Messiah. The Old Testament contains hundreds of prophecies about the coming of Christ, His Life, Ministry, and Death. The words “it is finished” showed the fulfillment of them all at the CrossCross.
“Father, Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit”
It is in Luke 23:46 when Jesus Christ says these last words. He fulfills the prophecy in Psalm 31:5, which reads, “Into your hands, I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.” With these words, Jesus shows the trust He has in the Lord and offers Himself up to God. In the same way, Christians are called on to put their trust in God even if they are going through tribulations and hard times. These words show hope and a brighter future for us who entrust ourselves to God. Hebrews 9:14 explains that Jesus gave His soul up to God blemish-free (“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”)
Why Are There Different Accounts of What Jesus Said Last?
There are different accounts of Jesus’ last words on the CrossCross. For example, John 19:30 states that “It is finished” were His final words (“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”) while Luke 23:46 states that “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” were His last words (“Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.”).
The difference in the Gospels’ accounts is because
- The 4 Gospels, which recount Jesus’ death, were written by various authors, namely Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. With that being said, they had different points they wanted to emphasize. For instance, Matthew wrote for a primarily Jewish audience, and Mark to a Gentile one. While Luke went into more detail, John focused on Jesus’ love. This could have led to the reordering of occurrences and words. The authors could have also recorded different versions because eyewitnesses tend to have slightly different accounts.
- Translation and interpretations of the books may have resulted in differences. Jesus spoke Aramaic, and the Gospels were written in Greek, so variations in meanings and chronology of words may have occurred during translation.
It is essential to know that differences do not mean contradictions and that the truth is not always precise. The accounts of Jesus’ last sayings are still valid and true. Since the authors wrote (under divine inspiration) from their perspectives, they had different eyewitness accounts. This proves authenticity since recounts of the same event that are identical are most likely rehearsed.
References
- The Seven Last Words of Christ
- Reflecting on The Seven Last Words of Christ
- What Is the Significance of The Words Jesus Spoke While on The Cross?
- Why Did Jesus Say “Father, Forgive Them” On The CrossCross?
- What Did Jesus Mean When He Said, “It Is finished”?
- Bible Contradictions Explained: 4 Reasons the Gospels “Disagree”
- Do Inconsistencies in the Gospels Undermine Scripture’s Inerrancy
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
