Luke 23:46 - Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” Having said this, he breathed his last.

Generated Verse: Luke 23:46

What does "Luke 23:46" mean?


This verse from Luke 23:46 is a pivotal moment in the crucifixion narrative. It's Jesus' final act and words before dying. Let's break down its meaning:

"Jesus, crying with a loud voice...": The fact that Jesus cries out with a loud voice, even in His weakened state on the cross, suggests several things:
Strength and Clarity: Despite the physical and emotional trauma of crucifixion, Jesus retained enough strength to speak clearly. It wasn't a whispered or mumbled goodbye.
Deliberate Act: This wasn't a passive fading away. It was a conscious, deliberate act of entrusting Himself to God.
Fulfilment of Prophecy: The shout can be seen as fulfilling certain messianic prophecies about Jesus.

"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!": This is the core of the verse.
"Father": Jesus directly addresses God as His Father, reaffirming their intimate relationship even in this moment of extreme suffering. This reinforces His divine sonship.
"Into your hands I commit my spirit!": This is an act of complete surrender and trust. "Spirit" refers to the essential part of Jesus' being – His soul, His consciousness, His connection to God. He's not just letting go of His physical body; He's entrusting His very essence into the safe-keeping of His Father. This is seen as an act of love and obedience.
Psalm 31:5 Connection: This phrase echoes Psalm 31:5, "Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, LORD, my faithful God." Jesus is identifying with the righteous sufferer of the Old Testament and proclaiming His trust in God's ultimate redemption.

"Having said this, he breathed his last.": This simply states that Jesus died immediately after uttering these words. It signifies the completion of His earthly mission and the moment He passed from mortal life.

Overall Meaning:

The verse communicates:

Jesus' Divine Sonship: He maintains His special relationship with God as "Father" even in His final moments.
Ultimate Trust in God: Jesus demonstrates absolute faith and trust in God's plan, even when facing death.
Voluntary Sacrifice: He actively chooses to give up His life, entrusting Himself to God's care.
Completion of Redemption: This act is seen as the culmination of Jesus' redemptive work on earth, opening the way for salvation for humanity.
Model for Believers: It provides a model for believers to trust in God completely, especially in times of hardship and even at the point of death. We are encouraged to entrust ourselves, our lives, and our spirits to God.

In essence, Luke 23:46 is a profound declaration of faith, hope, and love in the face of unimaginable suffering. It's a testament to Jesus' unwavering commitment to His Father and His mission.