SEVEN WORDS FROM THE CROSS. These sayings of the dying Savior form an important part of His self-disclosure. Taken together, they reveal the great strength and beauty of His character, and indicate in two instances the extent of His spiritual and physical distress. Probably they were spoken in the following order: (1) the intercessory prayer (Luke 23:34), (2) the response to the robber’s prayer (23:43), (3) the word to His mother and the beloved disciple (John 19:26, 27), (4) the cry of spiritual desolation (Matt 27:46; Mark 15:34), (5) the admission of physical need (John 19:28), (6) the proclamation of success (19:30), (7) the trustful committal (Luke 23:46).

Textual problems emerge in two cases. Luke 23:34, supported by most Gr. MSS, is omitted by MSS B, D, and some other authorities. However, Harnack, Zahn, and Streeter defend the authenticity of the passage. Certain scribes may have omitted it on the ground that the destruction of Jerusalem implied that Jesus’ prayer had not been answered. The second dispute concerns Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34. Both gospels give the Aram. with the LXX tr. of Psalm 22:1, slightly altered in Matthew. But if, in fact, Jesus quoted the Heb. it would account better for the misunderstanding which followed.

Three sayings belong to the early morning before the scene was enveloped in mysterious darkness. The first (Luke 23:34) shows that Jesus perfectly exemplified His own ethical standard (Matt 5:44) under the severest test. The second (Luke 23:43) reveals His unselfish pity, clear knowledge of what awaited Him beyond death, and His ability to rescue the dying penitent from utter ruin and bring him directly to the region of enduring blessing. The third (John 19:26, 27) makes plain that He did not fail in His duty and concern for His earthly parent. His last word about a human being expresses care for Mary. A considerable interval followed these sayings during which the deepest suffering was experienced in silence. Then the fourth saying (Matt 27:46; Mark 15:34) discloses in the words of Psalm 22:1 acute awareness that He no longer enjoyed a sense of God’s fellowship. The fifth (John 19:28) fulfills Psalm 69:21 and betokens real physical distress. The sixth (John 19:30) tells of success, satisfaction, relief. It marks the completion of the work essential to man’s salvation. With the seventh saying, the words of Psalm 31:5 preceded by “Father,” Jesus entrusted His spirit to God.

Bibliography W. H. Griffith Thomas, “The Words from the Cross,” ExpT XXVII (1915-1916), 46; T. E. Young, “A Fresh Exposition of the Cries from the Cross,” ExpT XXXIX (1927-1928), 93; R. G. Turnbull, The Seven Words From the Cross (1956); J. M. Spurrell, “An Interpretation of ‘I Thirst,’” Church Quarterly Review, 167 (1966), 12-18.