Safe in the Hands of God

This phrase was the last of Jesus Christ upon the cross. It is a powerful moment, and one that indicated the end of the Mosaic law. As one of the final statements of Christ, and one of only seven recorded that He made on the cross, believers have pondered over it for centuries. Why did He say this? Is it a callback to the Psalms? Understanding this verse reveals the close nature of the Father and the Son, and the power the Son had during His earthly ministry.

Across most translations into English, much of the verse is unchanged. There are a few words that are not translated the same. Perhaps the biggest divergence in translation is around the major verbs in the verse.

The first verb is in Jesus’ statement - paratíthēmi (παρατίθημι). This word is defined as, “to place alongside, i.e. present (food, truth); by implication to deposit (as a trust or for protection): allege, commend, commit (the keeping of), put forth, set before.” It is an active term where the subject makes a decision to put in trust or give over. In the English, most translations maintain an active part of the verb.

Those four words, commend, commit, entrust, and place, are chosen by most translators.

The other word that can often have different translations in English is the verb that describes the actual moment of Jesus’ death. Some translations focus on making it an active verb, like paratíthēmi, emphasizing Jesus’ choice. Others translate it using a more passive voice, where death happened to Jesus, rather than Jesus relinquishing His life. The word ekpneó (ἐκπνέω) means “to breathe out, to expire.” However, it is translated differently.

For some believers, whether or not the translation is more active, like “gave up the ghost” or “breathed his last,” in which Jesus appears to be making a decision is very important. Because He was fully God and fully man, Jesus could have taken himself off the cross, remained alive, and exerted His divine authority. He chose not to do so. His divine nature means He intentionally had to choose to no longer hold onto life.

He had to literally understand that I have to choose to let go. This is hard for many believers because we feel as if letting go is defeat, but I stand to beg a differ because sometimes letting go is actually the doorway to victory. If he would have not gave up the ghost we wouldn’t know that he have get up power.

Much of the weight and significance of this sentence is that Jesus is communicating directly with the Father that He is returning to His side. After thirty-three years of earthly ministry, and the Father turning away briefly during the Crucifixion in Mark 15:34 when the Lord cried out, “...’Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?,’” the Son would again sit at the right hand of the Father.

It is also significant because of its connection to Psalm 31. It is a direct quotation from that passage of Scripture. In context, it appears: “For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God” (Psalm 31:3-5).

The writer asserts their innocence and righteousness in the face of many enemies. This Psalm is usually attributed to David, who has confidence that his soul is safe with God. He put his faith and hope in the Lord, and He will go to be with God. It also expresses confidence the Lord will vindicate his life after his death. Though his foes may win a temporary victory, God will justify the righteous.

Jesus invokes this Psalm with the same meaning. Jesus lived a blameless life on earth. Not only did Jesus know He would go to be with the Father, but He knew His life would be vindicated with the resurrection mere days later. Though Jesus’ enemies thought they defeated Him at Calvary, God granted Jesus the ultimate victory with new bodily life. Jesus will have the final victory after His return as well.