What were the seven last words of Jesus Christ on the cross and what do they mean?

The Seven Last Words of Jesus Christ on the Cross: Meaning and Significance

1. What were the seven last words of Jesus Christ on the cross?

The seven last words of Jesus Christ on the cross refer to the seven statements that He made while crucified. These profound declarations provide crucial insight into His ultimate sacrifice and solidify His significance in Christianity.

2. First Saying: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

Jesus started His crucifixion with a plea for forgiveness for those responsible for His crucifixion. By asking God to forgive them, He exemplified His boundless compassion and underscored the central Christian value of forgiveness, even in the face of immense suffering.

3. Second Saying: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

In this statement, Jesus acknowledged the thief hanging beside Him who had expressed faith in Him. By assuring the thief of his place in paradise, Jesus demonstrated His power to grant eternal salvation even in the final moments of life.

4. Third Saying: “Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother.” (John 19:26-27)

Addressing His mother and John, His disciple, Jesus entrusted the care of His mother to John. This poignant statement emphasizes the importance of familial relationships and the need for believers to support and care for one another.

5. Fourth Saying: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34)

This statement expressed Jesus’ sense of abandonment and separation from God as He bore the weight of humanity’s sins. By experiencing this profound isolation, Jesus fully identifies with the depth of human suffering and separation from God.

6. Fifth Saying: “I thirst.” (John 19:28)

By expressing His physical thirst, Jesus highlighted His humanity and reminded us of His complete immersion in the human experience. This cry also represents His thirst for our salvation and a metaphorical thirst for spiritual fulfillment.

7. Sixth Saying: “It is finished.” (John 19:30)

With these words, Jesus proclaimed the completion of His redemptive mission on Earth. It signifies His triumph over sin and death, offering humanity the opportunity for salvation and eternal life through faith in Him.

8. Seventh Saying: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)

In His final words, Jesus entrusts Himself to God, signifying His complete submission and trust in the Father. He demonstrates the ultimate act of surrender, setting an example for believers to put their lives into God’s hands.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why are the last words of Jesus Christ on the cross important?

The last words of Jesus Christ on the cross hold significant theological and spiritual importance. They provide profound insights into His character, purpose, and the nature of His sacrifice, highlighting key aspects of the Christian faith.

2. Who recorded the seven last words of Jesus Christ on the cross?

The four Gospels of the New Testament—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—record the seven last words of Jesus Christ on the cross.

3. Did Jesus speak all these statements in a specific order?

The order of Jesus’ statements may vary slightly in each Gospel, but collectively, they represent the seven last words of Jesus on the cross.

4. How do the last words of Jesus reflect His mission and purpose?

Through His last words, Jesus exemplifies His mission to redeem humanity from sin, express His love and compassion, and reveal His divinity and role as Messiah.

5. What do the last words reveal about Jesus’ humanity?

The last words of Jesus showcase His humanity by expressing emotions and physical needs. This highlights His ability to empathize with human suffering and connect with people on a personal level.

6. What can we learn from Jesus’ forgiveness in His first saying?

Jesus’ forgiveness serves as a powerful example for all believers to follow. It teaches us to pardon those who wrong us, even in the face of immense suffering or injustice.

7. How do Jesus’ words on the cross impact Christian beliefs about salvation?

The last words of Jesus reinforce the Christian belief that salvation comes through faith in Him. His promise to the repentant thief underscores the possibility of obtaining eternal life, even at the eleventh hour.

8. How does the statement “It is finished” impact Christian theology?

“It is finished” signifies the completion of Jesus’ redemptive work and its impact on Christian theology cannot be overstated. It emphasizes His triumph over sin and death, offering believers the reassurance of salvation through Him.

9. What do Jesus’ words “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” mean?

Jesus’ exclamation reflects His temporary sense of separation from God as He bore the weight of humanity’s sin. It demonstrates the depth of His sacrifice and His complete identification with human suffering.

10. How do the last words of Jesus inspire believers in their own sufferings?

The last words of Jesus serve as a source of inspiration and comfort for believers enduring their own sufferings. They remind us that Jesus experienced anguish and abandonment but ultimately triumphed over adversity.

11. Why did Jesus express thirst in His statement?

Expressing His thirst, Jesus acknowledged His physical suffering and mortality. It also symbolizes His desire for spiritual fulfillment and the restoration of a broken relationship between God and humanity.

12. How do the last words of Jesus exemplify humility?

The last words of Jesus exemplify humility as He focused on forgiveness, entrusted His mother to a disciple, and wholly submitted Himself to God. His actions remind believers of the importance of humility and selflessness.

13. Can we find additional significance in the order of Jesus’ statements?

While the order of Jesus’ statements may carry symbolic meaning, the primary focus lies in the words themselves, rather than their sequential arrangement.

14. Are the last words of Jesus important for all Christian denominations?

Yes, the last words of Jesus hold significance across various Christian denominations as they represent pivotal moments in biblical history and core teachings of the faith.

15. Do other religious traditions consider Jesus’ last words?

While Jesus’ last words are primarily significant within Christianity, some non-Christian religious traditions acknowledge His crucifixion and the historical impact of His final statements. However, interpretations may differ according to their specific beliefs.