What Were Jesus’ Last Words on the Cross
Today we will talk about what were Jesus’ last words on the cross. Many Christians do not know what this means. Understanding His final words can leave us in awe of His sacrifice and the significance it holds in our lives today. As we reflect on this powerful moment, let’s be open to what God’s Word has to teach us through the Scriptures. Each phrase Jesus spoke carries immense weight and communicates His love, fulfillment of prophecy, and the depth of His suffering. Join me as we look closely at His final utterances, exploring their meanings in both Hebrew and Greek, as well as historical views that enrich our understanding of this significant event.
Understanding Jesus’ Final Words: A Linguistic Journey
Jesus’ last words on the cross are recorded in several gospels, offering us rich insights into His thoughts and feelings as He faced death. The phrases “It is finished,” “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit,” and “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” showcase various aspects of His final moments. In the original languages—Hebrew and Greek—these phrases reveal deeper meanings and fulfillments of Scripture that enrich our faith.
Starting with the phrase “It is finished,” which is translated from the Greek word “tetelestai,” means “to bring to a close, to finish, or to complete.” This shows that Jesus’ mission on earth—to redeem humanity by paying the penalty for our sins—was completed. This concept of completion also connects with the Hebrew term “Shalom,” denoting peace and wholeness, suggesting that Jesus’ death brings peace between God and humanity (John 19:30; Isaiah 53:5).
Another critical phrase is “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit,” which shows Jesus’ unwavering trust in His Father. The word “commit” in Greek (“paratithemi”) implies a sense of entrusting or placing in another’s care. This demonstrates not just Jesus’ trust but also the faithfulness of God to receive Him. The Hebrew term “ruach,” which means spirit or breath, emphasizes the sanctity of the spirit returning to the Creator (Luke 23:46; Psalm 31:5).
Lastly, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” spoken in Aramaic as “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” is a poignant cry reflecting Jesus’ momentary separation from God as He bore the weight of the world’s sin. This expression echoes Psalm 22:1, aligning His suffering with prophesies and demonstrating the fulfillment of Scripture. The Hebrew word “azab,” meaning to leave or forsake, conveys the gravity of this separation, shedding light on the divine sacrifice made for us (Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1).
By understanding the linguistic aspects of Jesus’ last words and their historical context, we see how His final phrases vividly encapsulate His sacrifice, fulfilling ancient prophecies and expressing His faithfulness to God and to humanity.
Prophetic Fulfillments in His Final Words
The significance of the last words of Jesus is intertwined with prophetic scripture that predates His crucifixion. In expressing “It is finished,” Jesus fulfilled prophecies concerning the sacrificial lamb. The Old Testament speaks of the role a sacrificial lamb would play in atonement, and Jesus, the Lamb of God, embodied this perfection (John 1:29; Exodus 12:21-27). His declaration at this crucial moment emphasizes that the sacrificial system established in the Law is now complete through Him.
Further, when Jesus uttered “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?”, He was quoting David from Psalm 22, a clear reflection of the Messianic prophecies that foretold the suffering the Messiah would endure (Psalm 22:1). This psalm describes not only the agony of crucifixion but also provides a hope-filled conclusion, which Jesus embodied in His work on the cross and through His resurrection. This connection enhances our understanding of Jesus’ mission, bridging the gap between the Old and New Testaments.
The phrase “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit,” links back to other significant scriptural references that depict trust in God, such as Psalm 31:5. This adds richness to the moment, as Jesus, fully aware of the scriptures, exemplified such trust as He faced His death (Luke 23:46; Psalm 31:5).
When we connect Jesus’ last words to these prophetic expectations, we are reminded of the intricacies of God’s plan for humanity through Christ. Jesus’ words serve to affirm the truth of Scripture while encouraging us to hold fast to our faith in the promises fulfilled through Him.
Theological Implications of His Last Words
The last words of Jesus on the cross carry significant theological implications that deepen our understanding of salvation and grace. As Christians, we recognize that Jesus’ suffering and death served to reconcile us to God. The term “atonement,” which means reparation for a wrong or injury, is vital in comprehending the purpose behind His final sacrifices (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Jesus’ cry of abandonment—“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”—highlights the gravity of sin that He took upon Himself, emphasizing the deep separation caused by sin and the extraordinary cost of our redemption.
Through His exclamation “It is finished,” He reveals the completion of the necessary sacrifices for sin, ensuring that our relationship with God is restored through faith in Him. This realization gives us hope and assurance; knowing that Jesus has taken the weight of sin enables us to approach God with confidence (Hebrews 4:16).
Jesus’ entrusting His spirit into God’s hands reinforces the beautiful doctrine of faith in action. It illustrates how, even in moments of despair, our relationship with God should be one of trust and surrender. The theological depth in this moment invites us to reflect on our response to God’s grace. Are we entrusting our lives, our spirit, and our future to Him as Jesus did? (1 Peter 2:23).
In summary, the theological implications of Jesus’ last words remind us of the enormity of His sacrifice. Through His final expressions, we are encouraged to embrace our faith actively and trust in God’s plan for redemption and restoration.
The Emotional Weight of His Last Words
In contemplating the last words spoken by Jesus on the cross, we cannot ignore the raw emotional weight they carry. These phrases are laden with human experience and divine purpose. When Jesus cries out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”, we see Him expressing the agony of abandonment felt even by the Son of God. It is both a relatable and deeply moving moment. Everyone has felt abandoned at some point in life, and Jesus, even in His suffering, demonstrates that feeling but also showcases His deep connection to His Father (Matthew 27:46).
Moreover, when Jesus proclaims “It is finished,” there’s a sense of relief and finality in His declaration. It’s as though He’s lifting the burden of that pain and trial for all humanity, paving the way for redemption. This emotional release signifies more than just the end of His earthly life; it serves as the commencement of hope, grace, and a new covenant between God and humanity (Romans 6:23; John 3:16).
The moment of committing His spirit to the Father exemplifies faith even amidst suffering. It challenges us to find strength in our failures, our fears, and our moments of despair. Jesus’ last words are more than just historical statements; they reveal His heart, highlighting His vulnerability yet demonstrating incredible strength. Understanding this helps us process our feelings and encourages us to lean on our faith in trying times.
Ultimately, the emotional weight of Jesus’ last words invites us to empathize not just with His suffering, but to examine how His sacrifice relates to our pain, struggles, and ultimately, our hope. His words of anguish are a call to us, urging us to acknowledge our weariness while directing us towards trust in God, who is always present (Philippians 4:6-7).
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on Jesus’ last words on the cross, we can see how each phrase reveals stunning layers of meaning. They connect the Old and New Testaments, illustrate profound theological truths about atonement and grace, and evoke deep emotional resonance. Our Savior’s final expressions embody trust, completeness, and abandonment, which offer an avenue for us to understand our faith journey more comprehensively.
Through these words, we are reminded that Jesus faced the anguish for our sake and fulfilled the prophecies that had long awaited this moment. His love for us as His creation drove Him to express vulnerability in His suffering, which we can hold dear in our hearts when we go through difficult times.
I encourage us to embrace these powerful last words as an invitation to deepen our faith and reliance on God. Let us commit ourselves to Him as Jesus did, carrying the promise of redemption and hope in our everyday lives. Each time we remember His words, may we find both comfort and courage, knowing that He finished the work for us, and we can trust our spirits to God, just as He did.
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4