Series
The seven last words
Seven sayings of Jesus from the cross have come down to us. No single Gospel has all seven. Matthew and Mark give only the cry from Psalm 22. Luke and John each give three others. Only together do they form the series that has been read for centuries, especially on Good Friday.
The order below is the traditional one: first three words spoken for others, then the cry of abandonment and the cry of thirst, and finally the end: it is finished, and into your hands. The first word, Father, forgive them, is missing from some of the oldest manuscripts of Luke. With each word you will find a short reflection, a question and a prayer.
- An honest verseFather, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.Luke 23:34
- TodayTruly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.Luke 23:43
- Caring to the endWoman, here is your son. … Here is your mother.John 19:26 and 27
- The prayer of the forsakenEloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani? … My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?Mark 15:34
- He was thirstyI am thirsty.John 19:28
- It is doneIt is finished.John 19:30
- Into your handsFather, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.Luke 23:46
Read this series as a reading plan
- From Gethsemane to the tombThe trial and the crucifixion, word by word. Seventeen days, good for Holy Week or the weeks before.17 days
- Seven words from the crossEight days: first the prayer in Gethsemane, then the seven sayings of Jesus on the cross that the Gospels preserve together. An old meditation for Holy Week, or for any week.8 days