The Seven Last Words of Christ

Definition

The so-called “Seven Last Words of Christ” refers to the last words (or, more literally, the seven last sentences or phrases) of Jesus Christ spoken from the Cross on Good Friday; these are recorded in the Gospels of St. Mark, St. Luke, and St. John. In sequence, they are the following: (#1) “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing;” (#2) “Amen, Amen I say to you: This day you will be with Me in paradise” spoken to the penitent thief; (#3) “Woman, behold your son,” spoken to the Blessed Virgin Mary; and “Behold your Mother,” Christ’s bequest to the Apostle John; (#4) “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” Then, parched with thirst, Christ calls out, (#5) “I thirst;” then, (#6) “It is finished.” And then, when every prophecy has been fulfilled, Jesus says these important words: (#7) “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit.”

These Seven Last Words of Christ have been the subject matter of much spiritual writing and insight over the centuries, especially by the Church Fathers and Saints.  These seven passages from Sacred Scripture (collectively or individually) provide wonderful meditation material on Good Friday, the Fridays during Lent, and on Fridays throughout the entire year.

1. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”             (Luke 23:34)

2. “Today, you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

3. “Woman, behold, your son…. Behold, your Mother.” (John 19:26-27)

4. “My God, My God, why have You abandoned (forsaken) Me?”           (Matthew 27:46)

5. “I Thirst.” (John 19:28)

6. “It is finished (accomplished/consummated).” (John 19:30)

7. “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit.” (Luke 23:46)