The Last Words of Jesus Christ

The last words of Jesus Christ, before His death, were said while He was being crucified upon the cross. Jesus' last words include seven statements which were recorded in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). What did Christ say? Here are the last words of Jesus while upon the cross.

Last Words of Jesus

1. "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)
2. "Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43)
3. "Woman, behold thy son!... Behold thy mother!" (John 19:26-27)
4. "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?... My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matt 27:46)¹
5. "I thirst." (John 19:28)
6. "It is finished." (John 19:30)²
7. "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." (Luke 23:46)

These last words of Jesus are powerful as Christ lived the perfect example even unto the end. Make sure you don't miss the additional last words of Jesus (referenced in footnote number 2) from the Joseph Smith Translation, which show Christ's continual submission to the Father's will.

The Church's New Testament institute manual refers to Jesus' last words while upon the cross as follows:

"[Christ's] last seven recorded utterances permit all the world to see and know the true quality of his character and the divine nature of his soul.... These seven statements focus on three great aspects of the Lord’s character and divinity."

Three Great Aspects of Christ's Divine Character
(As shown by Jesus' last words while upon the cross.)

1. His Forgiving Nature
2. His Concern for Others
3. His Resignation by His Own Will to Die a Physical Death

You can read more about each divine aspect of Christ's character, as shown by Jesus' last words, in the New Testament institute manual (linked in note #3 below), or learn more about Christ's glorious resurrection.

Notes:
1. Also see Mark 15:34 which has the following slight variation of spelling, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?..."
2. Footnote "a" for Matthew 27:50 references JST Matt. 27:54 in which the Lord says, "Father, it is finished, thy will is done."
3. The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1979, 185-186.