Bible Dictionaries
Seven Words From the Cross

Holman Bible Dictionary

Jesus' statements from the cross as He was crucified for our sin. The seven words from the cross were not a prepared speech but the record of Jesus responding to the events around Him during the six agonizing hours of his crucifixion. Although no single gospel records all seven sayings in order, the order that follows is the most commonly accepted.

The First Three Words Jesus' first three statements from the cross relate primarily to others, and Jesus spoke them between 9:00 a.m. and noon (Mark 15:25 ). First He asked forgiveness for those who were crucifying Him (Luke 23:34 ). Then He promised to be with the penitent thief in paradise (Luke 23:43 ). Jesus' provision for the care of His mother by John comprised His third remarks from the cross (John 19:26-27 ).

The Last Four Words Jesus' last four statements refer to Himself and were spoken between noon and 3:00 p.m. (Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44 ). He uttered the cry of desolation, quoting Psalm 22:1 in the Aramaic language ( Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34 ), expressed His thirst, (John 19:28 ) and issued the cry of victory, “It is finished” (John 19:30 ). In His final words, Jesus quoted Psalm 31:5 as He committed His spirit to God ( Luke 23:46 ). See Crucifixion.

Steve W. Lemke