Famous Last Words

We’re starting a new series on the last words of Jesus, the seven sayings of Jesus on the cross.

When a person dies, we often want to know their last words. Sometimes last words are powerful. Sometimes they’re funny. And sometimes they’re strange. 

• “I’m going to the bathroom to read.” - Elvis Presley
• “Tomorrow, at sunrise, I shall no longer be here.” - Nostradamus
• “I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have.” - Leonardo da Vinci
• “Bring me a bullet-proof vest.” - murderer James W. Rodgers (while in front of a firing squad after being asked if he had a last request)

The first saying of Jesus on the cross is found in Luke 23:34: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

What do these words of Jesus on the cross tell us about him?

What They Did

First, let’s think about the last three words of this saying: “what they do.” 

Who are “they”? There are two possible answers. “They” can either refer to the Roman soldiers or the Jews. Both played a part in Jesus being crucified.

Darrell Bock, who has written one of the best commentaries on Luke, writes, “The prayer must … be primarily for the Jews, though Luke’s readers might apply it to all who had a role in killing Jesus.” So let’s apply this saying to both the Roman soldiers and the Jews. What did they—both the Roman soldiers and the Jews—do?

• The Jews demanded that Jesus be crucified (vv. 20-23).
• The Roman soldiers carried out the crucifixion of Jesus (v. 33a). He was crucified between two criminals (vv. 32, 33b), though he had done nothing wrong (v. 41). The Romans didn’t invent crucifixion, but they perfected it. It was more about deterring crime than punishing crime. Slaves were the most frequent victims of crucifixion (cf. Phil. 2:7-8). Cicero said that crucifixion was “the cruelest and most hideous punishment.” Tacitus described it as “the most obscene type of death.” It was designed to prolong the agony of the victim as long as possible.
• The Roman soldiers took Jesus’ clothes (v. 34b).
• The Jews “scoffed at him” (v. 35).
• The Roman soldiers “mocked him” (vv. 36-37).

Both the Jews and the Roman soldiers played a part in taking the one who is God in human flesh—the creator of the universe—and killing him in the most painful and humiliating way imaginable.

There’s another group of people who had a role in Jesus being crucified … us. He died for our sin.

Eager to Forgive

“It was normal for the one being executed to cry out for vengeance and to threaten the executioners.” But this isn’t a normal crucifixion. Jesus prays, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” 

Jesus is the ultimate innocent sufferer. [Read Ps. 22:16-18.]

What do these words of Jesus on the cross tell us about him? Jesus is always ready to forgive and never eager to judge. [Read vv. 27-31; 19:41-44; Matt. 23:37-39.]

Tim Keller, in his book Forgive, says that “forgiveness is to renounce revenge and be open to reconciliation.” [Read 1 Peter 2:21-23.] Jesus modeled what he taught his followers to do. [Read Luke 6:27-28.]

Forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation. Reconciliation only happens when there’s repentance (i.e., a change of heart). Reconciliation is the goal of forgiveness.

There are some who appear ready to receive reconciliation: those who were “mourning and lamenting” for Jesus (v. 27), one of the thieves (vv. 40-42), and the centurion (v. 47). Others remain hardened. Regardless, Jesus is always ready to forgive. 

As 1 Peter 2:21 says, Jesus has left us an example, so that we might follow in his steps. We are to be eager to forgive. We are to renounce revenge and be open to reconciliation.