What Were the Last Words of Christ on the Cross?

On Good Friday, Catholics everywhere commemorate the Crucifixion, recognizing the Ultimate Sacrifice that provided for us Salvation and Eternal Life. What were last word’s of Christ as He was on the True Cross?

“Justification has been merited for us by the Passion of Christ who offered himself on the cross as a living victim, holy and pleasing to God, and whose blood has become the instrument of atonement for the sins of all men.” – Catechism of the Catholic Church 1992

Known as the Seven Last Words from the Cross, seven expressions attributed to be the last words of Christ before His Death are found in the four canonical Gospels.

Word of Forgiveness

The first saying, Christ’s prayer for forgiveness on behalf of the Roman’s and others involved in His Crucifixion.

“Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”- Luke 23:34

Word of Salvation

The second saying, Christ telling the penitent thief, Saint Dismas, he will be in Heaven where he “tasted and enjoyed the divinity of Christ, together with the other saints.”

“Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” – Luke 23:43

Word of Relationship

The third saying, Christ entrusting Mary into the care of the “disciple who whom Jesus loved,” identified as John the Evangelist.

“Woman, behold, your son. Behold, your mother.” – John 20:26-27

Word of Abandonment

The fourth saying, Christ quotes Psalm 22, a messianic psalm that vividly describes the agony the suffering servant would endure. God the Father allowed Christ in his humanity to experience the sense of divine abandonment that humans often feel during times of need.

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” – Matthew 27:46

Word of Distress

The fifth saying, Christ is given sour wine to drink by the Romans in fulfillment of Psalm 69:22 – “and for my thirst they gave me vinegar.”

“I thirst.” – John 19:28

Word of Triumph

The sixth saying, Christ announcing the end of His earthly life in anticipation of the Resurrection, fulfilling God’s plan for Him.

“It is finished.” – John 19:30

Word of Reunion

The seventh and final saying, Christ quotes Psalm 31:6 – an announcement, not a request, signifying Jesus joining God the Father in Heaven.

“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” – Luke 23:46

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