JESUS’ FINAL WORDS
Commentary
Scripture References
A common challenge posed by skeptics or atheists to prove that a biblical contradiction exists regarding Jesus’ last words is: “What were Jesus’ final words? Compare Matthew 27:46-50, Luke 23:46, and John 19:30 and tell me which is correct.”
Addressing this claim by skeptics requires a careful yet straightforward examination of all three passages in their context. After doing so, it reveals that these verses are not contradictory but accurate and complimentary records of Jesus’ final statements before dying.
In Matthew 27:46-50, Jesus said, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” followed by Him crying out again in a loud voice moments before His death. Matthew did not record His additional statements, but the gospels of Luke and John include them.
In John 19:30, Jesus stated, "It is finished!” before He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. In Luke 23:46, Jesus proclaimed, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit,” before He died.
Under the Holy Spirit's inspiration, each gospel writer highlighted one aspect of Jesus’ last moments on the cross, giving us a complete picture of what He said. Like two eyewitnesses of the same event recall distinct details over others, so it was with the gospel writers. They all recorded portions of Jesus’ last words, creating a cohesive and complementary account of His final moments.
It is essential to understand that the Holy Spirit’s purpose for inspiring these passages was not to provide a technical accounting of Jesus’ final words in order. It was to illustrate and exemplify the significance of all Jesus accomplished on the cross, beginning with Him suffering God’s wrath in our place for our sins.
Jesus' sacrifice of becoming sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21) separated Him from His Father for the first time; hence, His words, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Jesus' victorious and satisfactory payment for our sins through His shed blood was accepted by the Father in full, hence Jesus’ words, "It is finished!”
Lastly, Jesus did not have His life taken from Him but willingly laid it down for our salvation (John 10:18). With no further need to agonize on the cross after suffering God’s judgment for our sins, Jesus yielded His spirit back to His Father and surrendered His body to death, hence His words, "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit."