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What were his last words?
Matthew: “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani, that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (xxvii, 46).
Mark: “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani, which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (xv, 34.)
Luke: “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (xxiii, 46).
John: “It is finished” (xix, 30).
With the Four Gospels before them, Christians do not know what his last words were. The two most popular English Lives of Christ are those of Dr. Farrar and Dr. Geikie. These writers were contemporaries and friends, and both were adherents of the same church. Both, with these Gospels for their authorities, attempt to portray the closing scene. I quote from each:
Dr. Farrar: “And now the end was come. Once more, in the words of the sweet Psalmist of Israel, but adding to them that title of trustful love which, through Him, is permitted to the use of all mankind, ‘Father,’ he said, ‘into Thy hands I commend my spirit.’ Then with one more great effort he uttered the last cry—the one victorious word, ‘It is finished.’”
Dr. Geikie: “A moment more, and all was over. The cloud had passed as suddenly as it rose. Far and wide, over the vanquished throngs of his enemies, with a loud voice, as if uttering his shout of eternal victory before entering into his glory, he cried, ‘It is finished!’ Then, more gently, came the words, ‘Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit.’”