Jesus’ Last Words: A Cry of Dereliction or Triumph?

Abstract

This study will argue against recent popular interpretations of the Markan Jesus’ last words on the cross as a triumphant cry signifying Jesus’ joining the Father. Rather, Jesus’ last words are a genuine cry of abandonment, lacking in the triumphant implications that many scholars construe from the text. Jesus is left to die an undignified death, alone and rejected by all, even by God. This reading should not be softened but accepted as the text presents it, for it functions as the climax of the necessary-sufferer motif that is prevalent throughout the gospel. This piece will compare the Markan last words with the redacted Lukan last words. Luke appears to reverse Mark’s portrayal of Jesus’ shameful and isolated death, thereby alleviating his suffering because he and his audience, like many contemporary scholars, feel uncomfortable with accepting this negative portrayal of their Messiah.