The seven last words of Jesus, traditionally recognized as the final seven statements He spoke while on the cross, are:
- “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34) – A prayer of forgiveness for those crucifying Him.
- “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) – Jesus assures the repentant thief of salvation.
- “Woman, behold your son!” and “Behold your mother!” (John 19:26-27) – Jesus entrusts the care of His mother to the disciple John.
- “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) – A cry of abandonment, quoting Psalm 22.
- “I thirst.” (John 19:28) – Expressing physical suffering and fulfilling prophecy.
- “It is finished.” (John 19:30) – Declaring the completion of His earthly mission and the atonement for sin.
- “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46) – Jesus surrenders His spirit to God as He dies
These sayings reflect themes of forgiveness, salvation, relationship, abandonment, distress, triumph, and reunion with the Father.
