01/08/2026
As Jesus hung on the cross , He spoke seven times. Every word was deliberate. Every word carried meaning. Here is what He said:
1. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
He said this while the soldiers were still nailing Him to the cross. Not after. While it was happening. His first words from the cross were a prayer for the people killing Him.
2. “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
The last person Jesus saved before He died was a convicted criminal hanging next to Him. The Church recognizes him as Saint Dismas. He asked only to be remembered. Jesus gave him Paradise.
3. “Woman, behold your son. Behold your mother.” (John 19:26–27)
While hanging on the cross, Jesus looked down and entrusted His mother to John. The Church holds that in this moment Jesus was not only providing for Mary personally. He was giving her as Mother to all of humanity.
4. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)
This is the only time Jesus called God “God” instead of “Father.” He was quoting Psalm 22, written by King David 1,000 years earlier. The psalm begins in suffering but ends in victory. Jesus was pointing everyone listening to the whole psalm.
5. “I thirst.” (John 19:28)
Two words. The Creator of all water, dying of thirst. Christian tradition has long understood these words as expressing not only physical thirst, but also Christ's thirst for souls. Saint Teresa of Calcutta built much of her mission around these words.
6. “It is finished.” (John 19:30)
These words declared that His mission of redemption had been completed. The sacrifice was fulfilled. Everything the Father had sent Him to accomplish was now complete.
7. “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)
With His final words, Jesus entrusted Himself completely to the Father before giving up His spirit.
These were the final words of Jesus before His death. They reveal His mercy, His love, His suffering.
