Seven Things Jesus Spoke From the Cross

 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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1. To His Father: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:3434Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:34)).
Gracious, forgiving and knowing that it was all ordered, still Judas was held responsible for His betrayal (Luke 22:2222And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! (Luke 22:22)). Though He forgave, Matthew 27:2525Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. (Matthew 27:25) tells us that the Jews willingly accepted the blame.
2. To the thief: “Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:4343And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43)).
This was the first man to know for sure that he was going to spend eternity with God in heaven. Job (Job 19:25-2725For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. (Job 19:25‑27)) and others spoke of resurrection, but with limited knowledge. The Lord still on the cross, before He died, confirmed to this poor sinner that paradise in fellowship with Himself was assured to him.
3. To His mother and to John: “Woman, behold thy son!... Behold thy mother!” (John 19:26-2726When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. (John 19:26‑27)).
The tenderness of the Lord Jesus, knowing the broken heart His mother would have (Luke 2:3535(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. (Luke 2:35)) to see her firstborn Son suffering and dying at the hand of unjust man, would place in John’s hands the responsibility of her care and comfort. How perfectly this shows the importance of maintaining our human, family relationships. He was “about [His] Father’s business” (note that Joseph is not mentioned as His father), but His tender compassion saw to her care.
4. To God with a loud voice: “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Matt. 27:4646And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46)).
Realizing the awful judgment of being punished for sin, He who knew no sin spoke these words at the end of the three hours of darkness (the ninth hour). The one and only perfect, righteous man on earth is forsaken of God. It was not the thought of death or suffering that caused Him to cry out it was the forsaking of holy God.
5. To all who could hear: “I thirst” (John 19:2828After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. (John 19:28)).
This was spoken to fulfill the Scripture (Psa. 69:2121They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. (Psalm 69:21)). It also presents a little picture of the terrible suffering of His death. After all the beatings, false accusations, shame, mockery and agony of the nails driven into His hands and feet the agonizing pain of crucifixion He also had to endure such terrible thirst.
6. To all who could hear: “It is finished” (John 19:3030When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. (John 19:30)).
After receiving the vinegar, He cries out these words of victory, bows His head and, dismissing His spirit, dies. He is stating that the work on the cross is accomplished. No more suffering (offering) for sin will ever be required (Heb. 10:1818Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. (Hebrews 10:18)). He knew what was required on the cross, the suffering it would entail (John 18:44Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? (John 18:4)), and when it was fully and perfectly completed, He, knowing that, gave up His spirit. And this was no light load to bear, for He suffered at the hand of a righteous God the full wrath and total punishment, measured out justly, for all the sin of the world (John 1:2929The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)).
7. To His Father with a loud voice: “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit” (Luke 23:4646And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. (Luke 23:46)).
This is possibly the same as Matthew 27:5050Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. (Matthew 27:50) where He cries with a loud voice. It was the Lord Jesus’ final act as a man. He knew His body was going into the grave for three days, but His spirit would be with the Father.
D. Berry