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What Were Jesus’ Last Words on the Cross?

Some argue that the Bible is contradictory concerning what Jesus’ last words were on the cross. The argument is that Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 seem to contradict Luke 23:46 and John 19:30. However, there is a reasonable explanation that solves this alleged contradiction in the Bible.

Scriptures – What Were Jesus’ Last Words on the Cross?

Matthew 27:46

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Matthew 27:46

Mark 15:34

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Mark 15:34

Luke 23:46

Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
Luke 23:46

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

The Answer – What Were Jesus’ Last Words on the Cross?

The Order of Jesus’ Last Words

The most likely order of Jesus’ last words is this:

#“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (Matthew, Mark)
#“It is finished,” (John)
#“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” (Luke)

Both Matthew and Mark say that Jesus cried out again after saying “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?”

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.
Matthew 27:50

And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last.
Mark 15:37

John says that after Jesus cries out, “It is finished,” Jesus “gave up his spirit,” which suggests that he then said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!”

The context of the passages helps us piece together the order of these last words of Jesus. There is simply no contradiction between these passages.