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The apostle John records the final words spoken by the Messiah, prior to his death on the stake (or stauros). He was an eyewitness.

There were seven sayings from the cross. Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 record one saying. Luke records three sayings in Luke 23: 34, 43, 46. John also records three in 19:26, 27, 28 and 30.

It is clear from Luke 23:44 that the promise to the malefactor was before the darkness.

The words of Psalm 22:1 were uttered at the beginning, or during the course of the three hours of darkness. In his death Christ became witness against the priests and the corrupt system they had allowed to arise. From this point on they came under the Sign of Jonah and were placed under limitation to repentance or destruction.

Psalm 22 is the Psalm of the Sufferer, which tells of the Sufferer and also of the glory that is to follow.

In John 19:23-24 we see another and final prophecy being fulfilled. The soldiers divided his garments and cast lots for his cloak as prophesied (Ps. 22:18). This is the final part of the prophecy and probably occurred after his recital of Psalm 22. But God did not hide his face from him nor forsake him as the Psalm states (Ps. 22:24).

Christ handed his mother to the disciple present, who immediately took her into his care. Christ then proceeded to finalise Scripture and prophecy by uttering the words I Thirst. They then filled a sponge of vinegar and put in his mouth. When Jesus received the vinegar he said It is finished (teleõ). This means that all the things that had to be done were finished, as Scripture cannot be broken (Jn. 10:34-35). He then bowed his head and died. Matthew says sent forth his spirit (Mat. 27:50).

The only Scripture that had yet to be fulfilled could not take place until he was ready and had sent forth his spirit. This day was 14 Nisan in the year 30 CE, a Wednesday. A Friday Crucifixion is part of the Easter (see the paper The Origins of Christmas and Easter (No. 235)). It also has relation to the system of the Golden Calf (see The Golden Calf (No. 222)), (see also the papers David and Goliath (No. 126) and The Piñata (No. 276)).

The day, Thursday, in 30 CE, was a High Day being the First Holy Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. That night the Passover was to be eaten (see The Passover (No. 98)).

The day must not be defiled and the people must not be defiled by touching dead bodies under the Law. Thus they had to make sure they were dead within the time allowed. The legs of the first two crucified with him were broken. When they came to Christ they saw he was dead already and they did not break his legs, but a soldier pierced his side and blood and water came out.

This was to fulfil other Scripture concerning his death (see Ps. 34:20 and Zechariah 12:10).

He was then taken away by Joseph of Arimathea who pleaded with Pilate for his body and was given it. With the disciple Nicodemus, they took him to be buried in Joseph’s own tomb, which was new. This fact was also important to his purity as the sacrifice.

In Psalm 40 we see Christ as the Whole Burnt Offering.

In Psalm 69 we see Christ as the Trespass Offering (This is also Bullinger’s view cf. n. to Ps. 69:1).

Psalm 69:9 refers to John 15:25.

Psalm 69:14-20 is held by Bullinger to relate to Gethsemane in Matthew 26:36-45. It covers the events of the trial and the crucifixion where the enemies of Christ are before him.

Psalm 69:21 refers to the crucifixion (Mat. 27:34-48; Jn. 19:29). It is the prophecy he must fulfil before his death as Messiah, by drinking vinegar. That action and being offered gall previously, brings condemnation on Judah.

Psalm 69:25 refers to Judas in Acts 1:20 as it is quoted there. This is the point now in terms of the twelve apostles. We have twelve apostles who will judge the tribes. There is one apostle in charge of and representing each tribe. The tribe of Levi takes to the priesthood, but there are only twelve tribes involved. Judas symbolised the betrayal, by Judah, of Messiah as the Messenger of the Covenant that delivered them from bondage in the Exodus. He was of the tribe of Judah and the clan of Bethlehem Ephratah.

It is more than simply a reference to Judas. Psalm 69:22-28 Bullinger holds to refer to Romans 11:9,10. This quote followed on from that of Romans 11:8 referring back to Isaiah 29:10. There is no doubt that these prophecies relate to the failure of Judah as a nation to attain the Holy Spirit at that time and their traditions became a complete snare to them.

God will save Zion and will build the cities of Judah. In the last days they will be restored and the Holy Spirit will be poured out on them through the Messiah they killed. He will return to save those who eagerly await him. These are they who keep the commandments of God and the testimony and faith of Jesus the Christ, or Joshua the Messiah (Rev. 12:17: 14:12).