Luke 23:46
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
Luke 23:46 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse from Luke 23:46, Jesus is depicted as he hangs on the cross, ready to breathe his last breath. By crying out with a loud voice to his Father, Jesus is not only verbalizing his intense physical and emotional pain, but also exhibiting his ultimate trust and surrender to God. The phrase "into thy hands I commend my spirit" exemplifies Jesus' complete submission to the will of God and his acceptance of his impending death. By committing his spirit into the hands of the Father, Jesus demonstrates his unwavering faith and confidence in God's plan for him. This act of trust and surrender serves as a powerful example for believers to follow, even in the face of suffering and death. Lastly, as Jesus "gave up the ghost," it signifies the moment of his death and his sacrifice for the redemption of humanity, highlighting the profound love and obedience that characterized his life and ministry.
Theological Overview
In this powerful verse from Luke 23:46, we see Jesus crying out with a loud voice before he gives up his spirit. The theological interpretation of this verse emphasizes Jesus' willingness to submit to God's plan for salvation, even in his moment of greatest suffering. By commending his spirit to the Father, Jesus demonstrates his complete trust and obedience to God, showing us the perfect example of faith and surrender in the face of death. This act of entrusting his spirit to God also echoes the sentiment of Psalm 31:5, further reinforcing Jesus' fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Additionally, there is a deeper significance to the phrase "gave up the ghost," which signifies Jesus' voluntary sacrifice of his life for the redemption of humanity. This verse encapsulates the essence of Jesus' mission on earth and serves as a poignant reminder of his ultimate sacrifice for our sins.
Luke 23:46 in other translations
American Standard Version
And Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said this, he gave up the ghost.
World English Bible
Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” Having said this, he breathed his last.
Douay-Rheims
And Jesus crying with a loud voice, said: Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. And saying this, he gave up the ghost.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And Iesus cryed with a loude voyce, and sayd, Father, into thine hands I commend my spirit. And when hee thus had sayd, hee gaue vp the ghost.