Seven Last Words
The Seven Last Words
The Seven Last Words refer to Jesus' final seven utterances spoken from the Cross:
- Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34)
- I tell you this; today you shall be with me in Paradise (Luke 23:43) - Jesus said this to one of the criminals crucified with him
- Mother, there is your son. Son, there is your mother (John 19:26)
- My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Mark 15:34)
- I thirst (John 19:28)
- It is finished (John 19:30)
- Father, into your hands I commit my spirit (Luke 23:46)
The Seven Last Words formed the basis of a famous composition by Haydn. Composed in 1786, it was first performed on Good Friday 1787 in Cadiz, Spain.
Each of the work's seven sections is based on one of Jesus' final utterances. Haydn described the piece as...
purely instrumental music divided into seven Sonatas, each Sonata lasting seven or eight minutes, together with an opening Introduction and concluding with a Terremoto or Earthquake. These Sonatas are composed on, and appropriate to, the Words that Christ our Saviour spoke on the Cross...
Each Sonata, or rather each setting of the text, is expressed only by instrumental music, but in such a way that it creates the most profound impression on even the most inexperienced listener.
Quoted from Grove Music Online
"It is finished"
Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, reflects on the completion of Jesus' purpose in his death.
