Bible Question:
Why is it that in the Gospels the last words spoken by Jesus on the Cross are all different? In Mathew, it is 'My God My God why have you foresaken me". In Luke it is "Into thy hands I give my spirit". In John it is "it is finished". Why there is this much differences in the Gospels about the last sentence spoken by Christ? Kindly explain. |
Bible Answer: Greetings 4square, The seven cries of Jesus from the cross include (in this order): 1. "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34); 2. "..To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43); 3. "Woman, behold thy son," (John 19:26-27); 4. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34-36); 5. "I thirst!" (John 19:28); 6. "It is finished!" (John 19:30); 7. "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: .." (Luke 23:46).. God Himself had foreordained the very minutest details of Jesus' death at the cross (Acts 2:23; 4:27,28). Jesus Himself was in absolute control (John 10:17,18). If we compare the accounts of the crucifixion of Jesus in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, we find that these separate accounts actually supplement each other instead of contradicting each other. Not one of the accounts is exactly the same, but the narratives combined give us a fuller and more complete picture of what happened at the cross. As we know, the rapid spread of Christianity precipitated the need for written accounts of the life of Christ. As major figures in the stories and eyewitnesses began to die, there was an increasing need for written accounts of what they had seen and heard. The Book of Matthew was written for the Jews; Mark for the Romans; Luke for the Gentiles; and John for Christians. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all present very similar material about the life of Christ; having a pretty common view of His activities and teachings and chronology of events. All but 31 verses in Mark have parallels in either Matthew or Luke, and much of John's gospel is unique. The differences in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John supplement each other without contradiction and the similarities complement each other. The result is a comprehensive fourfold record of the redemptive ministry of Jesus Christ. Blessings to you, Makarios |