The Seven Statements from the Cross

Statement 1: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

Luke 23:33–34 (NASB)

33 When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. 34 But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.

Isaiah 53:12 (NASB)

12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

Statement 2: “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

Luke 23:43 (NASB)

43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

2 Corinthians 5:8 (NASB)

...to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

Statement 3: “Woman, behold, your son!”, “Behold, your mother!”

John 19:26–27 (NASB)

26 When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household.

1 Timothy 5:8 (NASB)

8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Statement 4: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Matthew 27:46 (NASB)

46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Psalm 22:1 (NASB)

1 My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?

Statement 5: “I am thirsty.”

John 19:28 (NASB)

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, “I am thirsty.”

Psalm 69:3 (NASB)

3 I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched; My eyes fail while I wait for my God.

Psalm 69:21 (NASB)

21 They also gave me gall for my food And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

Statement 6: “It is finished!”

John 19:30 (NASB)

30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

Hebrews 9:24–28 (NASB)

24 For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, 28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.

Romans 6:10 (NASB)

10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all...

Statement 7: “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.”

Luke 23:46 (NASB)

46 And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last.

Psalm 31:3–5 (NASB)

3 For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me. 4 You will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength. 5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have ransomed me, O Lord, God of truth.