The four Gospels recorded the last words that Jesus Christ said on the cross. In these sayings we find the fulfilment of God’s sacrifice and the full expression of his love for us.
During Easter we often hear about the seven last sayings of Jesus on the cross. These sayings can be found in all four the Gospels. The seven sayings are spread across the Gospels: There are three each in Luke and John, and one that is in both Mark and Matthew. In these words that Jesus said between his crucifixion and death we see both his humanity and his divinity.
The first three sayings on the cross
Jesus said the first three sayings between nine and noon. With these three sayings we hear Jesus speaking to the people around him. Here Jesus expresses his love in a special way for people who are in need.
1. Luke 23:34
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’”
2. Luke 23:43
“Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’”
3. John 19:26-27
“When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.”
The final four sayings on the cross
Between twelve and three o’clock when it became dark, no words were heard. After three hours of darkness, Jesus was fighting his own needs and we hear his spiritual and physical struggles. These four last sayings on the cross are quotes from the Old Testament. Jesus made these texts applicable to himself, thereby trying to teach the unbelieving Jews that he was the Messiah. With his final word, we see the absolute trust of Jesus. Jesus died as He lived, placing himself in God’s hands.
4. Matthew 27:46
“About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ (which means ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’”
5. John 19:28
“Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’”
6. John 19:30
“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
7. Luke 23:46
“Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he had said this, he breathed his last.”