Quick answer: The “seven last words” are the seven things Jesus said from the cross, gathered from all four Gospels: forgiveness for his enemies, paradise for a dying thief, care for his mother, the cry of forsakenness, his cry of thirst, “It is finished,” and his final prayer handing himself over to the Father. Together they show the heart of the cross.
Passages: Luke 23:34, 43, 46; John 19:26-30; Matthew 27:46 · Read it first: read Luke 23:26-49 and John 19:16-30 side by side.
Introduction
People’s last words matter. We remember what our loved ones said near the end, because in those moments what matters most rises to the surface.
Jesus hung on the cross for about six hours. He spoke only seven times. None of the Gospels records all seven sayings; Matthew and Mark record one, Luke three, and John three. Since the Middle Ages, Christians have gathered them together, especially for Good Friday services, to meditate on what Jesus said while he died for us.
This Lent, let’s slow down and listen to each one. A traditional order is used below.
1. A Prayer for His Enemies (Luke 23:34)
Jesus asked his Father to pardon the very people putting him to death, because they did not understand what they were doing (Luke 23:34).
The word of forgiveness. Jesus’ first words from the cross aren’t a cry of pain or a curse on his enemies. They’re a prayer for them: the soldiers driving the nails, the leaders mocking him, the crowd that shouted for his crucifixion.
He did what he had taught. In the Sermon on the Mount he told us to pray for those who persecute us, and here he does it with nails in his hands. If Jesus can pray for the people killing him, there’s no one beyond the reach of his forgiveness, including you.
Reflect: Who do you need to forgive? Can you pray Jesus’ prayer for them today?
2. A Promise of Paradise (Luke 23:43)
Jesus solemnly assured the dying criminal that before the day was over, the two of them would be together in paradise (Luke 23:43).
The word of salvation. Two criminals were crucified with Jesus. One mocked him. The other admitted his guilt and asked Jesus not to forget him once he entered his kingdom (Luke 23:42).
That man had no time to be baptized, join a church, or do good works. He had nothing to offer but faith in a dying King. And Jesus promised him paradise today. Here is the gospel in its simplest form: salvation by grace, through faith, in Christ alone.
Reflect: Have you ever thought you were too far gone for Jesus? The thief’s story says otherwise.
3. Care for His Mother (John 19:26-27)
Looking down at Mary and at John, the disciple he loved, Jesus gave each of them to the other as mother and son. From then on, John welcomed Mary into his household (John 19:26-27).
The word of care. Even while carrying the weight of the world’s sin, Jesus noticed his mother. Mary was probably a widow by then, and Jesus, her firstborn, made sure she’d be cared for. He entrusted her to John, the beloved disciple.
This word also gives us a picture of the church: people who weren’t family becoming family at the foot of the cross.
Reflect: Who has God placed in your care? How can you honor your family and your church family this week?
4. The Cry of Forsakenness (Matthew 27:46)
Around three in the afternoon, Jesus shouted in Aramaic, Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani, asking his God why he had been abandoned (Matthew 27:46).
The word of anguish. This is the only saying recorded in Matthew and Mark, and it’s the deepest mystery of the cross. Darkness had covered the land for three hours. Then Jesus cried out the opening line of Psalm 22, where David asks why God has left him and seems so distant from his anguished pleas for rescue (Psalm 22:1).
Why was Jesus forsaken?
Paul explains that God placed our sin on the sinless Christ so that, united to him, we could be counted right with God (2 Corinthians 5:21). On the cross, Jesus bore the judgment our sin deserved. He was forsaken so that we would never be.
Psalm 22 begins in anguish but ends in praise and victory. By quoting its first line, Jesus pointed to the whole psalm: the suffering, and the triumph that would follow.
Reflect: When you feel abandoned by God, remember that Jesus went to the very bottom of forsakenness so that he could promise never to leave you.
5. The Cry of Thirst (John 19:28)
Knowing his work was now complete, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said he was thirsty (John 19:28).
The word of suffering. It’s the shortest of the seven sayings and one of the most human. The eternal Word, through whom the seas were made, was thirsty. Jesus wasn’t pretending to suffer; he felt real pain, exhaustion, and thirst.
That’s why Hebrews says our high priest feels for us in our frailty, because he faced every kind of testing we face, yet never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus knows what it’s like to hurt in a body.
Reflect: Bring your physical and emotional pain to Jesus. He understands it from the inside.
6. “It Is Finished” (John 19:30)
“When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit” (John 19:30, ESV).
The word of victory. This isn’t a sigh of defeat but a shout of completion. The work the Father gave Jesus to do, paying for sin in full, was done. Nothing more needs to be added.
We’ve written a full study on this saying, including the Greek word tetelestai and how John 19 fulfills the Scriptures: It Is Finished Meaning: John 19 Crucifixion Study. Read it alongside this one on Good Friday.
Reflect: Are you still trying to add something to what Jesus finished? Rest in his completed work.
7. The Final Prayer of Trust (Luke 23:46)
With a loud cry, Jesus entrusted his spirit to his Father, and with those words he died (Luke 23:46).
The word of trust. Jesus’ last words are a prayer of perfect trust, taken from Psalm 31:5, where David places his life in the care of the faithful God who rescues him. Jewish children were often taught to pray this psalm before sleep. Jesus adds one word: Father.
The cry of forsakenness (saying 4) isn’t the end. Jesus dies trusting the Father. He didn’t have his life taken from him; he gave it up, and he gave it into loving hands.
Reflect: What would it look like to place your whole life, and even your death, into the Father’s hands?
The Seven Words Together
Read in order, the seven sayings trace the heart of the gospel:
- Forgiveness for enemies
- Salvation for a sinner
- Care for those he loves
- Anguish as he bears our sin
- Suffering in a real human body
- Victory over sin
- Trust in the Father
Jesus was dying for others in every word: praying for them, saving them, caring for them, suffering in their place, and finishing the work of their rescue.
A Lent Practice: One Word a Day
In the week before Good Friday (March 26, 2027), take one saying each day:
- Read the verse slowly, out loud.
- Read the “Reflect” question above and journal one honest answer.
- Pray the saying back to God in your own words.
- On Good Friday, read all seven in order, then read the full study on It Is Finished.
Discussion & Reflection Questions
- Which of the seven sayings means the most to you right now, and why?
- What does Jesus’ prayer for his executioners teach you about forgiving others?
- How does the thief’s story shape your understanding of grace?
- Why is it comforting that Jesus quoted the Psalms on the cross?
- How can these words prepare your heart for Easter?
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the seven last words of Jesus?
They are seven sayings of Jesus from the cross: his prayer for forgiveness for his enemies (Luke 23:34); his promise of paradise to the thief (Luke 23:43); his care for his mother (John 19:26-27); his cry of forsakenness (Matthew 27:46); his cry of thirst (John 19:28); “It is finished” (John 19:30); and his final prayer of trust to the Father (Luke 23:46).
Why are they called the “seven last words”?
“Words” here means sayings, not single words. No Gospel records all seven. Christians gathered them from Matthew, Luke, and John to meditate on everything Jesus said on the cross. They have been used in Good Friday services for centuries, often as seven short sermons or readings.
What did Jesus mean when he cried out that God had forsaken him?
Jesus was quoting Psalm 22:1 as he bore the judgment for our sins. God laid our sin on the One who had none (2 Corinthians 5:21). He experienced separation so that we could be reconciled to God. Psalm 22 also ends in triumph, pointing ahead to his victory.
What were Jesus’ very last words before he died?
According to Luke, Jesus’ final words were a prayer placing his spirit in his Father’s hands (Luke 23:46), drawn from Psalm 31:5. John records “It is finished” (John 19:30) just before he gave up his spirit. Together they show both his completed work and his complete trust in the Father.
How can I use the seven last words during Lent?
A simple approach is to read one saying a day in the week before Good Friday. Read the verse slowly, reflect on what it reveals about Jesus, and pray it back to God. On Good Friday, read all seven in order. Many churches also hold “Seven Last Words” services that you can attend.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, you spoke words of forgiveness, mercy, and love even as you died. Thank you for praying for your enemies, for promising paradise to a sinner like me, and for bearing the forsakenness I deserved. Thank you that it is finished. Teach me to forgive as you forgave, to trust as you trusted, and to place my whole life into the Father’s hands. As Easter draws near, keep my eyes on your cross and my hope in your empty tomb. Amen.
Keep Reading
- more Bible studies (pillar)
- It Is Finished Meaning: John 19 Crucifixion Study
- the gift God gave
- Devotional on Forgiveness
- Devotional When God Feels Distant
- Related: Good Friday Devotional (devotional)
- Related: Father, Forgive Them Meaning
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Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.