1. To His Father: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
Gracious, forgiving and knowing that it was all ordered, still Judas was held responsible for His betrayal (Luke 22:22). Though He forgave, Matthew 27:25 tells us that the Jews willingly accepted the blame.
2. To the thief: “Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
This was the first man to know for sure that he was going to spend eternity with God in heaven. Job (Job 19:25-27) and others spoke of resurrection, but with limited knowledge. The Lord still on the cross, before He died, confirmed to this poor sinner that paradise in fellowship with Himself was assured to him.
3. To His mother and to John: “Woman, behold thy son!... Behold thy mother!” (John 19:26-27).
The tenderness of the Lord Jesus, knowing the broken heart His mother would have (Luke 2:35) to see her firstborn Son suffering and dying at the hand of unjust man, would place in John’s hands the responsibility of her care and comfort. How perfectly this shows the importance of maintaining our human, family relationships. He was “about [His] Father’s business” (note that Joseph is not mentioned as His father), but His tender compassion saw to her care.
4. To God with a loud voice: “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Matt. 27:46).
Realizing the awful judgment of being punished for sin, He who knew no sin spoke these words at the end of the three hours of darkness (the ninth hour). The one and only perfect, righteous man on earth is forsaken of God. It was not the thought of death or suffering that caused Him to cry out it was the forsaking of holy God.
5. To all who could hear: “I thirst” (John 19:28).
This was spoken to fulfill the Scripture (Psa. 69:21). It also presents a little picture of the terrible suffering of His death. After all the beatings, false accusations, shame, mockery and agony of the nails driven into His hands and feet the agonizing pain of crucifixion He also had to endure such terrible thirst.
6. To all who could hear: “It is finished” (John 19:30).
After receiving the vinegar, He cries out these words of victory, bows His head and, dismissing His spirit, dies. He is stating that the work on the cross is accomplished. No more suffering (offering) for sin will ever be required (Heb. 10:18). He knew what was required on the cross, the suffering it would entail (John 18:4), and when it was fully and perfectly completed, He, knowing that, gave up His spirit. And this was no light load to bear, for He suffered at the hand of a righteous God the full wrath and total punishment, measured out justly, for all the sin of the world (John 1:29).
7. To His Father with a loud voice: “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit” (Luke 23:46).
This is possibly the same as Matthew 27:50 where He cries with a loud voice. It was the Lord Jesus’ final act as a man. He knew His body was going into the grave for three days, but His spirit would be with the Father.
D. Berry