EGW WritingsJohn 19
Ellen G. White · Page 2 of 2
Read John 19 in the BibleJohn 19:16-30
From Heaven With Love
Chapter 78—Jesus Dies on Calvary
HLv 495.1
“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him.”HLv 495.2
The news of Christ’s condemnation had spread, and people of all classes and ranks flocked toward the place of crucifixion. The priests and rulers had been bound by a promise not to molest Christ’s followers if He Himself were delivered to them, and the disciples and believers joined the throng.HLv 495.3
The cross which had been prepared for Barabbas was laid on Jesus’ bleeding shoulders. Two companions of Barabbas were to suffer death at the same time, and on them also crosses were placed. Since the Passover supper with His disciples, Jesus had taken neither food nor drink. He had endured the anguish of betrayal and had seen His disciples forsake Him. He had been taken to Annas, to Caiaphas, to Pilate, to Herod, then again to Pilate. All that night there had been scene after scene to try the soul of man to the uttermost. Christ had not failed. He had borne Himself with dignity. But when after the second scourging the cross was laid on Him, human nature could bear no more. He fell fainting beneath the burden.HLv 495.4
The crowd manifested no compassion. They taunted Him because He could not carry the heavy cross. Again the burden was laid on Him, and again He fell. His persecutors saw that it was impossible for Him to carry His burden further. Who would bear the humiliating load? The Jews could not, because the defilement would prevent them from keeping the Passover.HLv 496.1
At this time a stranger, Simon a Cyrenian, coming in from the country, met the throng. He stopped in astonishment at the scene, and as he expressed compassion, they seized him and placed the cross on his shoulders.HLv 496.2
Simon’s sons were believers in the Saviour, but he himself was not. Bearing the cross to Calvary was a blessing to Simon. It led him to take the cross of Christ from choice and ever cheerfully stand beneath its burden.HLv 496.3
Not a few women were in the crowd that followed the Uncondemned to His cruel death. Some had carried to Him their sick and suffering ones. Some had themselves been healed. They wondered at the hatred of the crowd toward Him. And notwithstanding the angry words of priests and rulers, as Jesus fell beneath the cross these women broke forth into wailing. This attracted Christ’s attention. He knew that they were not lamenting Him as one sent from God, but He did not despise their sympathy. It awakened in His heart a deeper sympathy for them. “Daughters of Jerusalem,” He said, “weep not for Me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.” Christ looked forward to the time of Jerusalem’s destruction when many who were now weeping for Him were to perish with their children.HLv 496.4
From the fall of Jerusalem the thoughts of Jesus passed to a wider judgment. In the destruction of the impenitent city He saw a symbol of the final destruction to come on the world: “Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?” The green tree represented Himself, the innocent Redeemer. God’s wrath against transgression fell on His beloved Son. What suffering, then, would the sinner bear who continued in sin? The impenitent would know a sorrow that language would fail to express.HLv 497.1
Of the multitude that followed the Saviour to Calvary, many had attended Him with hosannas and palm branches as He rode triumphantly into Jerusalem. Not a few who then shouted His praise because it was popular, now swelled the cry, “Crucify Him!” When Christ rode into Jerusalem, the disciples pressed close about Him, feeling that it was a high honor to be connected with Him. Now in His humiliation they followed Him at a distance.HLv 497.2
At the place of execution, the two thieves wrestled in the hands of those who placed them on the cross; but Jesus made no resistance. The mother of Jesus, supported by John, had followed the steps of her Son to Calvary. She had longed to place a supporting hand beneath His wounded head. But she was not permitted this mournful privilege. She still cherished the hope that Jesus would deliver Himself from His enemies. Again her heart would sink, as she recalled He had foretold the very scenes then taking place.HLv 497.3
As the thieves were bound to the cross, she looked on with agonizing suspense. Would He who had given life to the dead suffer Himself to be crucified? Must she give up her faith that He was the Messiah? She saw His hands stretched on the cross; the hammer and nails were brought, and as the spikes were driven through the tender flesh, the disciples bore away from the cruel scene the fainting form of the mother of Jesus.HLv 497.4
The Saviour made no complaint, but great drops of sweat stood on His brow. There was no pitying hand to wipe the death dew from His face; no words of sympathy and fidelity to stay His human heart. While the soldiers were doing their fearful work, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” His mind passed from His own suffering to the terrible retribution that would be theirs. No curses were called down on the soldiers who were handling Him so roughly, no vengeance invoked on the priests and rulers. He breathed only a plea for their forgiveness—they “know not what they do.”HLv 498.1
But their ignorance did not remove their guilt, for it was their privilege to know and accept Jesus as their Saviour. Some would yet see their sin, and repent, and be converted. Some by impenitence would make it impossible for the prayer of Christ to be answered for them. Yet, just the same, God’s purpose was reaching its fulfillment. Jesus was earning the right to become the advocate of men in the Father’s presence.HLv 498.2
That prayer of Christ for His enemies took in every sinner from the beginning of the world to the end of time. Upon all rests the guilt of crucifying the Son of God. To all, forgiveness is freely offered.HLv 498.3
As soon as Jesus was nailed to the cross, it was lifted by strong men and with violence thrust into the place prepared for it. This caused intense agony. Pilate then wrote an inscription in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, and placed it on the cross above the head of Jesus. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” This irritated the Jews. They had cried, “We have no king but Caesar.” They had declared that whoever should acknowledge any other king was a traitor. Pilate wrote what they had expressed. No offense was mentioned, except that Jesus was the King of the Jews, a virtual acknowledgment of the allegiance of the Jews to Rome. It declared that whoever might claim to be the King of Israel would be judged by them worthy of death. In order to destroy Christ, the priests had been ready to sacrifice even their national existence.HLv 498.4
The priests asked Pilate to change the inscription. “Write not, The King of the Jews; but that He said, I am King of the Jews.” But Pilate, angry with himself, replied coldly, “What I have written I have written.”HLv 498.5
In the providence of God that inscription was to awaken investigation of the Scriptures. People from all lands were then at Jerusalem, and the inscription declaring Jesus the Messiah would come to their notice. It was transcribed by a hand that God had guided.HLv 498.6
In the sufferings of Christ on the cross, prophecy was fulfilled. “The assembly of the wicked have enclosed Me: they pierced My hands and My feet... . They part My garments among them, and cast lots upon My vesture.” Psalm 22:16-18. His clothing was given to the soldiers. His tunic was woven without seam, and they said, “Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be.”HLv 499.1
In another prophecy the Saviour declared, “I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. They gave Me also gall for my meat; and in My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink.” Psalm 69:20, 21. To those who suffered death by the cross, it was permitted to give a stupefying drug to deaden the pain. But when Jesus had tasted it, He refused it. His faith must keep hold on God, His only strength. To becloud His senses would give Satan an advantage.HLv 499.2
Priests, rulers, and scribes joined the mob in mocking the dying Saviour. The Father’s voice from heaven, witnessing to Christ’s divinity, was silent. No testimony in His favor was heard. Alone He suffered.HLv 499.3
“If Thou be the Son of God,” they said, “come down from the cross.” “Let Him save Himself, if He be Christ, the chosen of God.” Satan and his angels, in human form, were present at the cross, cooperating with the priests and rulers, confederated in a satanic frenzy.HLv 499.4
Jesus heard the priests declare, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Christ could have come down from the cross. But because He would not save Himself, the sinner has hope of pardon and favor with God.HLv 499.5
To Jesus on the cross there came one gleam of comfort—the prayer of the penitent thief. Both men crucified with Jesus at first railed on Him; and one under his suffering only became more desperate and defiant. But his companion was not a hardened criminal; he was less guilty than many who stood beside the cross reviling the Saviour. He had seen and heard Jesus, but had been turned away from Him by the priests and rulers. Seeking to stifle conviction, he had plunged into sin, until he was arrested and condemned.HLv 500.1
On the cross he saw the great religionists ridicule Jesus. He heard the upbraiding speech taken up by his companion in guilt: “If Thou be Christ, save Thyself and us.” Among the passersby he heard many repeating Jesus’ words, and telling of His works. The conviction came back that this was the Christ. Turning to his fellow criminal, he said, “Dost thou not fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?” The dying thieves no longer had anything to fear from man. But on one of them pressed the conviction that there is a God to fear, a future to cause him to tremble. And now, his life history was about to close. “And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man hath done nothing amiss.”HLv 500.2
When condemned for his crime, the thief had become despairing, but strange, tender thoughts now sprang up. The Holy Spirit illuminated his mind, and little by little the chain of evidence joined together. In Jesus, mocked and hanging on the cross, he saw the Lamb of God. Hope mingled with anguish in his voice as the dying soul cast himself on a dying Saviour. “Lord, remember me when thou comest into Thy kingdom.”HLv 500.3
Quickly the answer came, soft and melodious the tone, full of love and power the words: Verily I say unto thee today, Thou shalt be with Me in paradise.1The comma in Luke 23:43 is often misplaced in English translations. No comma existed in the Greek text. With longing heart Jesus had listened for some expression of faith from His disciples. He had heard only the mournful words, “We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel.” How grateful then to the Saviour was the utterance of faith and love from the dying thief! While even the disciples doubted, the poor thief called Jesus “Lord.” No one acknowledged Him on the cross save the penitent thief, saved at the eleventh hour.HLv 501.1
The tone of the repentant man arrested the attention of bystanders. Those who had been quarreling over Christ’s garments stopped to listen and waited for the response from Christ’s dying lips.HLv 501.2
As He spoke the words of promise, the dark cloud that seemed to enshroud the cross was pierced by a living light. Christ in His humiliation was glorified. He who in all other eyes appeared conquered, was Conqueror. He was acknowledged as the Sin Bearer. They could strip from Him His raiment, but they could not rob Him of His power to forgive sins. It is His royal right to save all who come to God by Him!HLv 501.4
Christ’s position “in the midst” between the thieves was done by direction of the priests and rulers to indicate that He was the greatest criminal of the three. But as Jesus was placed “in the midst,” so His cross was placed in the midst of a dying world lying in sin. And the words of pardon spoken to the penitent thief kindled a light that will shine to earth’s remotest bounds. In His humiliation, Jesus as a prophet had addressed the daughters of Jerusalem; as priest and advocate He had pleaded with the Father to forgive His murderers; as Saviour He had forgiven the sins of the penitent thief.HLv 501.5
At the foot of the cross stood His mother, supported by John. She could not endure to remain away from her Son, and John, knowing that the end was near, had brought her again. Looking into her grief-stricken face, He said to her, “Woman, behold thy son!” then to John, “Behold, thy mother!” John understood and accepted the trust. From that hour he cared for Mary tenderly. The Saviour had no money with which to provide for His mother, but He provided that which she most needed—the tender sympathy of one who loved her because she loved Jesus. And John received a great blessing—she was a constant reminder of his beloved Master.HLv 502.1
For nearly thirty years Jesus by His daily toil had helped bear the burdens of the home. And now, even in His last agony, He provided for His sorrowing, widowed mother. Those who follow Christ will respect and provide for their parents. From the heart where His love is cherished, father and mother will never fail of receiving thoughtful care and tender sympathy. And now the Lord of glory was dying. All was oppressive gloom. Not the dread of death, not the pain of the cross, caused Christ’s agony. His suffering was from a sense of the malignity of sin. Christ saw how few would be willing to break from its power. Without help from God, humanity must perish, and He saw multitudes perishing within reach of help.HLv 502.2
Upon Christ as our substitute and surety was laid the iniquity of us all. The guilt of every descendant of Adam was pressing on His heart. All His life Christ had been publishing the good news of the Father’s pardoning love, but now with the terrible weight of guilt upon Him He could not see the Father’s reconciling face. This pierced His heart with a sorrow that can never be fully understood by man. So great was this agony that His physical pain was hardly felt.HLv 502.3
Satan with fierce temptations wrung the heart of Jesus. Hope did not present to Him His coming forth from the grave a conqueror or tell Him of the Father’s acceptance. Christ felt the anguish the sinner will feel when mercy shall no longer plead for the guilty race. It was the sense of sin, bringing the Father’s wrath on Him as man’s substitute, that broke the heart of the Son of God.HLv 503.1
The hosts of heaven veiled their faces from the fearful sight. The sun refused to look on the awful scene. Its full, bright rays were illuminating the earth at midday, when suddenly it seemed to be blotted out. Complete darkness enveloped the cross. “There was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.” There was no natural cause for this darkness, which was as deep as midnight without moon or stars. It was a miraculous testimony given by God that the faith of after generations might be confirmed.HLv 503.2
In that thick darkness God’s presence was hidden. God and holy angels were beside the cross. The Father was with His Son. Yet His presence was not revealed. In that dreadful hour Christ was not to be comforted with the Father’s presence.HLv 503.3
In the thick darkness God veiled the last human agony of His Son. All who had seen Christ in His suffering had been convicted of His divinity. Through long hours of agony He had been gazed on by the jeering multitude. Now He was mercifully hidden by the mantle of God.HLv 503.4
A nameless terror held the throng gathered about the cross. Cursing and reviling ceased. Vivid lightnings occasionally flashed from the cloud and revealed the crucified Redeemer. Priests, rulers, executioners, the mob, all thought their time of retribution had come. Some whispered that Jesus would now come down from the cross.HLv 503.5
At the ninth hour the darkness lifted from the people, but still enveloped the Saviour. No eye could penetrate the deep gloom that enshrouded the suffering soul of Christ. Then “Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why has Thou forsaken Me?” Many voices exclaimed: The vengeance of heaven is upon Him because He claimed to be the Son of God! Many who believed on Him heard His despairing cry. Hope left them. If God had forsaken Jesus, in what could His followers trust?HLv 504.1
When the darkness lifted, Christ revived to a sense of physical suffering, and said, “I thirst.” One of the Roman soldiers, touched with pity, took a sponge and dipping it in vinegar, offered it to Him. But the priests mocked His agony. His words, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” they misinterpreted. They said, “This man calleth for Elijah.” The last opportunity to relieve His sufferings they refused. “Let be,” they said, “let us see whether Elias will come to save Him.”HLv 504.2
The spotless Son of God hung upon the cross, His flesh lacerated with stripes, His hands nailed to the wooden bars, His feet spiked to the tree, His royal head pierced by thorns. And all that He endured—the agony that racked His frame, and the unutterable anguish that filled His soul at the hiding of His Father’s face—speaks to each child of humanity, declaring, For you the Son of God consents to bear this burden of guilt; for you He spoils the domain of death; for you He opens the gates of Paradise; for you He offers Himself as a sacrifice—from love to you.HLv 504.3
Suddenly the gloom lifted from the cross. In trumpetlike tones that seemed to resound throughout creation, Jesus cried, “It is finished.” “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” A light encircled the cross, and the face of the Saviour shone with a glory like the sun. He then bowed His head and died.HLv 504.4
Amid the awful darkness, Christ had drained the dregs in the cup of human woe. In those dreadful hours He had relied on the evidence of His Father’s acceptance heretofore given Him. Acquainted with the character of His Father, by faith He rested in Him whom it had ever been His joy to obey. And as He committed Himself to God, the sense of the loss of His Father’s favor was withdrawn. By faith, Christ was victor.HLv 505.1
Again darkness settled on the earth, and there was a violent earthquake. Wild confusion ensued. In the surrounding mountains, rocks were rent asunder, and went crashing into the plains. Sepulchers were broken open, and the dead were cast out. Priests, soldiers, executioners, and people, lay prostrate on the ground.HLv 505.2
When the loud cry, “It is finished,” came from the lips of Christ, it was the hour of the evening sacrifice. The lamb representing Christ had been brought to be slain. The priest stood with lifted knife, the people looking on. But the earth trembled, for the Lord Himself drew near. With a rending noise the inner veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom by an unseen hand, throwing open to the gaze of the multitude a place once filled with the presence of God. The most holy place of the earthly sanctuary was no longer sacred.From Heaven With Love
One Crucified Thief Believes
HLv 501.3
I say unto thee today, Thou shalt be with Me in Paradise. Christ did not promise that the thief should be with Him in Paradise that day. He Himself did not go that day to Paradise. He slept in the tomb, and on the morning of the resurrection He said, “I am not yet ascended to My Father.” John 20:17. But on the day of apparent defeat the promise was given. “Today,” while dying on the cross as a malefactor, Christ assured the sinner, “You will be with Me in Paradise.”From Heaven With Love
Christ Dies Triumphant
HLv 505.3
All was terror and confusion. The priest was about to slay the victim; but the knife dropped from his nerveless hand, and the lamb escaped. Type had met antitype. The great sacrifice had been made. A new and living way was prepared for all. Henceforth the Saviour was to officiate as priest and advocate in the heaven of heavens. “By His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Hebrews 9:12.John 19:18-24
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 103, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 103, 1897, par. 8
Joseph and Nicodemus watched every development at the condemnation and crucifixion of Christ. Not an action escaped them. These men were diligent searchers of the Scriptures, and they were deeply indignant as they saw this Man, whom the judges had pronounced to be entirely without fault, placed in the center of two thieves, “on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.” [John 19:18.] This instruction had been given by the chief priests and rulers, that by His position all might judge that Christ was the most notorious of the three.12LtMs, Ms 103, 1897, par. 16
This was carried out to the letter by a party of heathen military, without any counsel or interference from the friends or enemies of the crucified One. Christ heard the men’s contentions as they parted His garments among them. His tunic was woven throughout without seam, and they said, “Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it whose it shall be.” [John 19:24.]John 19:22
John 19:24
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Lt 115, 1903
18LtMs, Lt 115, 1903, par. 15
Christ was taken to Calvary and crucified between two thieves, as if He were the chief of sinners. To those soldiers who had placed Him on the cross, His clothing was given. Christ heard their contention as they parted His garments among them. His tunic was woven throughout without seam, and they said, “Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be.” Thus was fulfilled the Scripture, “They parted My raiment among them, and for My vesture they did cast lots.” [John 19:24.]John 19:24-36
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)
Ms 139, 1907
22LtMs, Ms 139, 1907, par. 7
Speaking of His sufferings and death, Christ declared, “The Son of man goeth as it is written of Him.” [Matthew 26:24.] Again and again He alluded to His death as a fulfilment of prophecy. It had been declared: “A bone of Him shall not be broken.” [John 19:36.] “They pierced My hands and My feet.” [Psalm 22:16.] “They parted My raiment among them, and for My vesture they did cast lots.” [John 19:24.] All these predictions were literally fulfilled.John 19:25-30
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 45, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 45, 1897, par. 12
“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene.” [John 19:25.] As Christ’s mother stood by the cross upon which He hung, she realized the truth of the words spoken by Simeon, when he took the infant Saviour in his arms and blessed Him. “Mine eyes have seen thy salvation,” he said, “which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at the things which were spoken of Him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary His mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; (yea, a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” [Luke 2:30-35.]12LtMs, Ms 45, 1897, par. 14
Christ, bearing the sin of the world, seemed to be deserted; but He was not wholly left alone. John stood close by the cross. Mary had fainted in her anguish, and John had taken her to his house away from the harrowing scene. But he saw that the end was near, and he brought her again to the cross. And even in His dying agony Christ remembered His mother. He saw her distress, and He said to her, “Woman, behold thy son. Then said he to the disciple, Behold thy mother. And from that hour the disciple took her unto his own home.” [John 19:26, 27.] This thoughtful care lifted a weight from Mary’s mind; she would no longer be obliged to choose her home, and run the risk of offending her relatives, for Christ’s wish was law. Christ knew what she most needed, the tender sympathy of one who loved her <because he loved Jesus.>12LtMs, Ms 45, 1897, par. 16
“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” [Verse 46.] These words could not be misunderstood, but the priests and rulers framed them to suit their own understanding. With bitter contempt and scorn, they said, “He calls for Elias.” [Verse 47.] Jesus said, “I thirst.” [John 19:28.] These words, which should have awakened pity in every heart, were held up to ridicule by the priests, in whose hearts humanity was eclipsed by satanic malignity. One of the hardened Roman soldiers, touched with pity as he looked at the parched lips, took a stalk of hyssop, and dipping it in a vessel of vinegar, lifted it to the Saviour’s lips. But from the mockers came the words, “Let be; let us see whether Elias will come and save him.” [Matthew 27:49.]12LtMs, Ms 45, 1897, par. 18
Again came the cry as of one in mortal agony. “It is finished.” “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” “And having said this, he gave up the ghost.” [John 19:30; Luke 23:46.] Christ, the Majesty of heaven, the King of glory, was dead. The Jewish leaders had crucified the Son of God, the long-expected Messiah, He who the people had hoped was to bring about so many reforms. They refused the only One who could save them from national ruin.John 19:26-27
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 1 (1844 - 1868)
Ms 2, 1867
1LtMs, Ms 2, 1867, par. 8
I was shown the lesson taught by Jesus as He hung upon the cross in agony. It was a lesson of compassion, notwithstanding all His distress. He looks to John and to His mother. He says, “Behold thy mother,” and to His mother, “Behold thy son.” “And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.” John 19:26, 27.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)
Ms 53, 1890
6LtMs, Ms 53, 1890, par. 47
On the Isle of Patmos John saw in holy vision the One whom he honored and loved above all others. He says, “I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia.” See the description in Revelation 1. The words uttered were not alone for John on the Isle of Patmos; they were not for the churches alone; but through these churches was to come the inspired message for the people, to have its powerful impression in every age to the close of this earth’s history. Why is not this being done? Christ presented Himself to John in His glorified humanity. “I saw,” said he, “one like unto the Son of man.” [Verse 13.] His first words were, “Fear not.” [Verse 17.] It was the same voice that spoke to him from the cross through pale and quivering lips, “Son, behold thy mother.” [John 19:26, 27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 106, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 106, 1896, par. 34
As Christ hung upon the cross with the tremendous weight of the sins of the world upon Him, and the words were forced from His pale and trembling lips, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” [Matthew 27:46.] He thought of His weeping mother, and commended her to John, saying, “Woman, behold thy son;” and to John He said, “Behold thy mother.” Thus He provided for her a tender heart, which would comfort her in her keen sorrow. “And from that hour, that disciple took her unto his own home.” [John 19:26, 27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 21, 1902
17LtMs, Ms 21, 1902, par. 3
Christ was hanging on the cross, dying for the fallen race. His every movement was attended with pain. Yet He was still a loving, affectionate Son. In His dying hour He thought of His mother. He knew that she had been cruelly disappointed. Truly the sword had entered her heart. His heart throbbed with love and sympathy for her. Looking upon her, and then upon John, He said to Mary, “Woman, behold thy son;” then to John, “Behold thy mother.” [John 19:26, 27.] John understood Christ’s words, and accepted the trust. He immediately removed Mary from the fearful scene, taking her to his own home. And from that hour he cared for her as a dutiful son.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)
Ms 167, 1904
19LtMs, Ms 167, 1904, par. 1
Christ did not forget His mother. He looks at John who had been His near and close disciple, and He said, “Behold your mother,” and to the mother, “Behold your son.” [John 19:27, 26.] The care was to come upon John. Thank God, my dear friends, O I am so thankful that every one of us can receive and believe in Christ. They took away my Saviour from the cross. He was laid in the tomb of the rich ruler, but at the time appointed, after He had rested on the Sabbath in the grave, a mighty angel came from heaven and parted the darkness from his track. He laid hold of that stone, notwithstanding they had set a seal upon it, he rolled it away as a pebble, and the bright beams of light from the angel laid every one of the watchmen upon the ground. But they understood. They could tell it. They went away from the grave expressing all about it, but the ones who had done the cruel work heard them, and hired them for money to testify to a lie, so as to hide the fact.John 19:26-30
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Ms 205, 1899
14LtMs, Ms 205, 1899, par. 6
Around the cross stand a company of spectators, some of whom question in wonder, What evil has this man done? But no one can answer; for there is nothing to tell. Some are weeping; for their hearts are full of sympathy. Mary Magdalene is there supporting the mother of Jesus, who has fainted under her grief. As Simeon predicted, the sword has pierced her soul. In the last agony of failing nature, Jesus looked upon the anguished face of his mother, and in a feeble voiced addresses his disciple John, “Son, behold thy mother.” Then to his mother he said, “Behold thy son.” [John 19:26, 27.] This filial duty accomplished, the Saviour summons his energies for the last conflict. He has borne mockery and abuse at the hands of men, but now he is to feel a greater woe, a more terrible agony. He must feel his Father’s frown because of sin. It was this that broke his heart, and wrenched from his lips the bitter cry, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” [Matthew 27:46.]14LtMs, Ms 205, 1899, par. 9
With his departing breath, the Saviour exclaimed, “It is finished.” [John 19:30.] Satan was defeated, and knew that his kingdom was lost; for the great plan of redemption, which was dependent upon the death of Christ, was carried out. And there was joy in heaven that the sons of Adam could, through a life of obedience, be finally exalted to the throne of God.John 19:27
The Story of Redemption
A Lesson in Filial Love
SR 224.1
The eyes of Jesus wandered over the multitude that had collected together to witness His death, and He saw at the foot of the cross John supporting Mary, the mother of Christ. She had returned to the terrible scene, not being able to longer remain away from her Son. The last lesson of Jesus was one of filial love. He looked upon the grief-stricken face of His mother, and then upon John; said He, addressing the former: “Woman, behold thy son!” Then, to the disciple: “Behold thy mother!” John 19:27. John well understood the words of Jesus, and the sacred trust which was committed to him. He immediately removed the mother of Christ from the fearful scene of Calvary. From that hour he cared for her as would a dutiful son, taking her to his own home. The perfect example of Christ’s filial love shines forth with undimmed luster from the mist of ages. While enduring the keenest torture, He was not forgetful of His mother, but made all provision necessary for her future.John 19:28-30
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)
Ms 41, 1887
5LtMs, Ms 41, 1887, par. 16
The mission of Christ’s earthly life was now nearly accomplished. His tongue was parched, and He said, “I thirst.” [John 19:28.] Saturating a sponge with vinegar and gall, they offered it Him to drink; but when He had tasted it, He refused it. The Lord of life and glory was dying, a ransom for the race. Angels witnessed with amazement His despairing agony so much greater than His physical pain that the latter was hardly felt by Him. The hosts of heaven veiled their faces from the fearful sight.5LtMs, Ms 41, 1887, par. 20
In silence the people watch for the end of this fearful scene. Priests and rulers look towards Jerusalem; and lo, the dense cloud has settled upon the city, and over Judah’s plains, and the fierce lightnings of God’s wrath are directed against the fated city. Suddenly the gloom is lifted from the cross, and in clear, trumpet tones, that seem to resound throughout creation, Jesus cries, “It is finished;” “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” [John 19:30; Luke 23:46.] A light encircled the cross, and the face of the Savior shone with a glory like unto the sun. He then bowed His head upon His breast and died.John 19:29-30
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 106, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 106, 1897, par. 12
“Now there was a vessel full of vinegar; and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is finished.” [John 19:29, 30.] There was a shriek, shrill and agonizing, and the Son of God expired. He died of a broken heart. When the spear was thrust into His side, there flowed forth blood and water. His heart was broken by His mental agony. The hearts of those who seek the Lord and find Him will be broken as they see the result of sin.John 19:30
Christ Triumphant
Jesus Will Give Us Power to Overcome, October 7
CTr 287.3
Satan is the author of death. What did Christ do after He brought Satan under the dominion of death? The very last words of Christ while expiring on the cross were “It is finished” (John 19:30). The devil saw that he had overdone himself. Christ by dying accomplished the death of Satan and brought immortality to light.The Desire of Ages
Chapter 75—Before Annas and the Court of Caiaphas
DA 709.4
When Caiaphas rent his garment, his act was significant of the place that the Jewish nation as a nation would thereafter occupy toward God. The once favored people of God were separating themselves from Him, and were fast becoming a people disowned by Jehovah. When Christ upon the cross cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30), and the veil of the temple was rent in twain, the Holy Watcher declared that the Jewish people had rejected Him who was the antitype of all their types, the substance of all their shadows. Israel was divorced from God. Well might Caiaphas then rend his official robes, which signified that he claimed to be a representative of the great High Priest; for no longer had they any meaning for him or for the people. Well might the high priest rend his robes in horror for himself and for the nation.The Desire of Ages
Chapter 79—“It is Finished”
DA 758.1
Christ did not yield up His life till He had accomplished the work which He came to do, and with His parting breath He exclaimed, “It is finished.” John 19:30. The battle had been won. His right hand and His holy arm had gotten Him the victory. As a Conqueror He planted His banner on the eternal heights. Was there not joy among the angels? All heaven triumphed in the Saviour’s victory. Satan was defeated, and knew that his kingdom was lost.The Desire of Ages
Chapter 87—“To My Father, and Your Father”
DA 834.2
But He waves them back. Not yet; He cannot now receive the coronet of glory and the royal robe. He enters into the presence of His Father. He points to His wounded head, the pierced side, the marred feet; He lifts His hands, bearing the print of nails. He points to the tokens of His triumph; He presents to God the wave sheaf, those raised with Him as representatives of that great multitude who shall come forth from the grave at His second coming. He approaches the Father, with whom there is joy over one sinner that repents; who rejoices over one with singing. Before the foundations of the earth were laid, the Father and the Son had united in a covenant to redeem man if he should be overcome by Satan. They had clasped Their hands in a solemn pledge that Christ should become the surety for the human race. This pledge Christ has fulfilled. When upon the cross He cried out, “It is finished,” He addressed the Father. The compact had been fully carried out. Now He declares: Father, it is finished. I have done Thy will, O My God. I have completed the work of redemption. If Thy justice is satisfied, “I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am.” John 19:30; 17:24.The Story of Jesus
Chapter 24—Death of Christ
SJ 146.7
“It is finished.” John 19:30. “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” Luke 23:46.Testimony Treasures, vol. 1
“It is Finished”
1TT 230.2
Jesus did not yield up His life till He had accomplished the work which He came to do, and exclaimed with His departing breath: “It is finished.” John 19:30. Satan was then defeated. He knew that his kingdom was lost. Angels rejoiced as the words were uttered: “It is finished.” The great plan of redemption, which was dependent on the death of Christ, had been thus far carried out. And there was joy in heaven that the sons of Adam could, through a life of obedience, be finally exalted to the throne of God. Oh, what love! What amazing love! that brought the Son of God to earth to be made sin for us, that we might be reconciled to God, and elevated to a life with Him in His mansions in glory. Oh, what is man, that such a price should be paid for his redemption!From Heaven With Love
Chapter 79—How Christ’s Death Defeated Satan
HLv 506.1
Christ had accomplished the work He came to do, and with His parting breath He exclaimed, “It is finished.” John 19:30. The battle had been won. All heaven triumphed in the Saviour’s victory. Satan knew his kingdom was lost. It was for the angels and unfallen worlds as well as for us that the great work of redemption had been accomplished. Until the death of Christ, Satan had so clothed himself with deception that even holy beings had not understood his principles nor clearly seen the nature of his rebellion.Homeward Bound
It Is Finished, February 24
HB 71.1
So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.—John 19:30.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)
Ms 11, 1886
4LtMs, Ms 11, 1886, par. 8
The work of temptation is to be brought right into our lives here upon this earth, and we are to regain the image of God which has been destroyed because of sin. Jesus has made it possible that you can be transformed to the divine image, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But here we see that the power of Satan is opened upon the Son of God every day of His ministry here upon the earth. All Heaven is watching the controversy, how it is going on. Here upon the earth Satan stirs up the enmity that is in the human mind to resist the salvation that has been brought to them at such an infinite cost. He was the light of the world, and yet the world knew Him not. He created the world, and yet the world would not acknowledge Him. But when His life was sought for, the Majesty of heaven had to go from place to place; Heaven marked this. And He was despised and rejected of men; He was mocked at, reviled; but when He was reviled, He reviled not again. But Satan did not stop his persecutions until Christ hung upon the cross of Calvary. All heaven and all the worlds God had created were watching the controversy; would Christ carry out the plan He had undertaken, to lift man from the pit of sin, that he might stand with Him upon His throne? The enmity of Satan stirred up the men to cry: Crucify Him, crucify Him, and release unto us Barabbas. All this was taken notice of by the heavenly angels. And upon the cross, as the Son of God cried out, “It is finished,” then the plan of salvation had been carried out for the fallen race. [John 19:30.] Why, the angels hid their faces from the sight when they saw the Majesty of heaven in His dying agony. The sun refused to shine, and the very earth groaned out in agony as it witnessed its dying Author. The rocks were rent, and the horrors of the darkness covered the earth. And those who saw the darkness declared that it was the Son of God that had been put to death.Christ Triumphant
All Creation Affected by the Great Controversy, October 10
CTr 290.1
It is finished. John 19:30.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)
Ms 16, 1886
4LtMs, Ms 16, 1886, par. 11
If we are overcomers at last, there are battles for us to fight, and we will find that the flesh warreth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh. It is for us to say which will triumph. But our carnal hearts will not submit to God’s will, but refuse to obey. Christ said, “I have kept My Father’s commandments” [John 15:10], and He is our example in all things. What shall we do when trials come? We must flee to the Mighty Helper. Christ never leaves us to fight these battles alone. He came into this world of darkness to fight with the prince of darkness, and when He cried out, “It is finished,” there was joy in heaven. [John 19:30.] “He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin.” [Hebrews 4:15.] Then what are we to do? Come to Christ as a child would to its earthly parents and believe that He will hear us. He says, If thy son asks bread, wilt thou give him a stone? and if he asks a fish, wilt thou give him a scorpion? [Luke 11:11, 12.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)
Ms 26, 1887
5LtMs, Ms 26, 1887, par. 9
All heaven was watching the result of the controversy between Christ and Satan. When Satan succeeded in his hellish plot to murder the Son of God, all the universe was filled with horror. On the cross Christ cried, “It is finished.” [John 19:30.] In this mighty achievement He threw aside the vail, and this world was brought back into God’s favor, finite man was again connected with God, and earth was connected with the continent of heaven.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)
Ms 8, 1888
5LtMs, Ms 8, 1888, par. 25
All can testify what God has wrought in these [cases]; then just such things will take place with us as [they] did with Christ. He was to work no miracle for Himself, but angels protected His life till the time came when He was to be betrayed by one of His disciples, till He was to bleed out His life on Calvary’s cross, and Satan stirred up the minds [of men] to think that the angels of heaven were indifferent. But everyone was watching the contest with interest. From the moment that [Christ] knelt in prayer on the sod of Gethsemane till He died on the cross and cried out, “It is finished” [John 19:30], the angels and all the universe of God looked on with the greatest interest. When those words were spoken, the plan was completed—the plan whereby Satan’s power should be limited and broken and whereby [Christ] should finally die—was wrought out by Jesus Christ. And when He rose from the dead, His triumph was complete. Satan knew that the battle with Him was lost, but yet he is at enmity with God.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)
Ms 1, 1889
6LtMs, Ms 1, 1889, par. 48
Satan is the author of death. What did Christ do after He brought Satan under the dominion of death? The very last words of Christ while expiring on the cross were, “It is finished.” John 19:30. The devil saw that he had overdone himself. Christ by dying accomplished the death of Satan and brought immortality to light.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)
Ms 5, 1889
6LtMs, Ms 5, 1889, par. 11
Before He came they were under a yoke, but Christ was above law. He was the originator of the law, so there was no yoke upon Him, and the angels were in obedience to Christ, who was not under the yoke. He could come as one equal with the Father, and He could open His breast to the whole woe, grief, sin, and misery, and by an offering of Himself He could bring life and immortality to light through the gospel. This is the only hope of life, and when Christ cried out, “It is finished” [John 19:30], He carried out the devised plan. He had died in behalf of the race, as a freewill offering to God. He was not urged to do it, but He took it upon Himself that He might save the fallen race. He goes down into the grave and comes up out of the grave. As Satan was triumphing in His death, it was not long before he found out he had overstepped the boundary. In seeking to cause the death and crucifixion of the Son of God, what did he do? He claimed in heaven, and he claims today among the Christian world, that in taking away the law of God they could establish one of their own that would be better. All the universe of heaven were looking to see what would come out of it.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)
Ms 45, 1892
7LtMs, Ms 45, 1892, par. 35
But when, in His dying agonies, despair pressed upon the soul of the Redeemer, He remembered that tokens had been given to Him of His Father’s love, and as He yielded up His precious life, by faith alone He rests in Him whom it had been His joy to obey. Though surrounded by gloom, yet amid the awful darkness, which was felt even by nature, the Redeemer drained the cup of suffering to the dregs. By faith He dimly believes that He shall triumph over death, and He cries with a loud voice, “Father, into thine hand I commend my spirit.” [Luke 23:46.] He knows that His Father is full of mercy, justice, compassion, and love, and in trustful confidence, He yields Himself to God. There is a great earthquake, and the people hear the man of Calvary say with His last breath, “It is finished!” [John 19:30.]7LtMs, Ms 45, 1892, par. 37
Jesus did not yield up His life until He had done the work which He came to do. With His latest breath He had said, “It is finished.” [Verse 30.] Angels rejoiced as they heard the words that told them that the mission of Christ had been successful. They knew that Satan was defeated, his kingdom lost. Christ had not shunned death to carry out the plan of salvation, and there was joy in heaven because, through faith in Christ, the sons of Adam could finally be raised to a seat upon the throne of God.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 59, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 59, 1896, par. 19
And the Son of God endured this shame as the penalty of guilt, in order that the sinner may stand guiltless and innocent before the throne of God. See what may arise from the height of exaltation from which our Saviour came, and the depth of humiliation to which he reached, in order to grasp the sinner and lift him up to become a partaker of His divine nature, and link his life, his soul, with the Infinite God. When we obtain a sight of that cross; when that suffering, agonized cry, “It is finished,” pierces our ears, the sacrifice is complete. [John 19:30.] His love has imprinted the name of every saint upon the palms of His hands.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Lt 123, 1897
12LtMs, Lt 123, 1897, par. 1
If we could only realize that Christ crucified is the great object of our faith. Had Christ lived, He could not have been our Redeemer. Our faith must lay hold of the sacrificial offering of His life as a ransom for the world. His holiness of life, the tender compassion, the sympathy He manifested for all human woe, would not have saved us had it stopped there. It was not until, when dying upon the cross, He cried in agony, “It is finished,” that the work was accomplished. [John 19:30.] Not until He had descended to the lowest depths of humiliation, until He could go no further, was the tyranny of Satan broken. It was the death of Christ that satisfied divine justice. This was the price our ransom cost. Nothing is wanting now but for the will of man to bow, self to be crucified, and Christ to live in the heart. The soul temple must be dedicated to Him.Faith and Works
The Crucial Point in the Great Controversy
FW 73.4
Satan is the author of death. What did Christ do after He brought Satan under the dominion of death? The very last words of Christ while expiring on the cross were, “It is finished” (John 19:30). The devil saw that he had overdone himself. Christ by dying accomplished the death of Satan and brought immortality to light.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 115, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 115, 1897, par. 17
When Christ upon the cross cried out, “It is finished,” there was a mighty earthquake, that rent open the graves of many who had been faithful and loyal, bearing their testimony against every evil work, and magnifying the Lord God of hosts. [John 19:30; Matthew 27:50-52.] Now as the Lifegiver came forth from the sepulcher, proclaiming, “I am the resurrection and the life,” He summoned from the grave these saints. When alive, at the cost of their lives, they had borne their testimony unflinchingly for the truth. Now they were to be witnesses of Him who had raised them from the dead. These, said Christ, are no longer the captives of Satan. I have redeemed them; I have brought them from the grave as the first fruits of My power, to be with Me where I am, never more to see death or experience sorrow.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 6, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 6, 1897, par. 6
How did the glory of God magnify itself in glorious perfection on that day when Christ’s life was yielded up as a sacrifice for the world! When he cried out, “It is finished,” there was a mighty earthquake, the rocks rent, the graves flew open, and Christ bowed His head, and died. [John 19:30; Matthew 27:51, 52.] In the sacrifice of God’s only begotten Son is demonstrated the awful glory of divine justice and holiness. “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins.” [Romans 3:25.] In consideration of the great work which God has done to redeem, to uplift, to bring back the moral image of God in man, what is the human agent doing on his part as a worker together with God?Lift Him Up
A New and Living Way for All, January 30
LHU 44.1
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30, NIV.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 138, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 138, 1897, par. 13
When Christ expired on the cross, He cried out with a loud voice, “It is finished.” [John 19:30.] Then the veil of the temple was rent in twain from top to bottom, signifying that a new and living way had been opened for all tongues and people. The great sacrificial offering had been made, type had met antitype in this perfect offering, to which all the sacrificial offerings pointed.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Ms 25, 1898
13LtMs, Ms 25, 1898, par. 7
One, a centurion, was more deeply moved than the others. He stood by the cross until the death of Christ, and heard the voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” [Mark 15:34.] He heard, too, the words that penetrated everywhere, “It is finished.” [John 19:30.] The darkness that covered the earth, and wrapped its gloomy pall about the cross and the form of Jesus, the rending rocks, the earthquake, combined to produce a scene which those who witnessed [it] would never forget. And the centurion was convicted. “Truly this was the Son of God,” he said. [Matthew 27:54.]13LtMs, Ms 25, 1898, par. 13
When Christ on the cross cried out, “It is finished,” the sacrificial offering was accepted. [John 19:30.] The veil of the temple was rent in twain by the hand of God Himself, signifying to the heavenly universe and to a world corrupted by sin that a new and living way had been opened for the fallen race, that all sacrificial offerings terminated in the one great offering of the Son of the living God.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Ms 114, 1898
13LtMs, Ms 114, 1898, par. 2
When Christ upon the cross cried out, “It is finished,” the veil before the Most Holy place was rent in twain. [John 19:30; Matthew 27:50, 51.] No more would sacrificial offerings be accepted, for type had met antitype in the death of Christ. Christ died, and rose again, proclaiming over the rent sepulcher of Joseph, “I am the Resurrection and the life. I live forever.” [John 11:25; Deuteronomy 32:40.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Ms 176, 1899
14LtMs, Ms 176, 1899, par. 7
The clouds of uncertainty and unbelief were rolled back as the Saviour cried with a loud voice, “It is finished.” [John 19:30.] No longer had the enemy any power to tempt and annoy Him. Holiness and justice united in the completion of the great work of redemption. On the cross mercy and truth met together, righteousness and peace kissed each other. Jesus had testified that God is true. Faith demands no more. The doubting soul need not ask, Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Hath He in anger shut up His tender mercies? The answer comes clear and strong, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” [John 3:16.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Ms 165, 1899
14LtMs, Ms 165, 1899, par. 9
Christ could not have done this work had He not been personally spotless. Only One who was Himself perfection could be at once the Sin-bearer and the Sin-pardoner. He stands before the congregation of His redeemed as their sin-burdened, sin-stained Surety, but it is their sins He is bearing. All through His life of humiliation and suffering, from the time that He was born an infant in Bethlehem till He hung on the cross of Calvary, and cried in a voice that shook the universe, “It is finished,” the Saviour was pure and spotless. [John 19:30.] At any time in His life He could offer His enemies the challenge, “Which of you convinceth me of sin?” [John 8:46.] He offered Himself without spot to God.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Ms 138, 1899
14LtMs, Ms 138, 1899, par. 47
Christ has given His disciples assurance that special seasons for devotion are necessary. Strength for the performance of daily duties is derived from worshiping God in the beauty of holiness. Prayer went before and sanctified every act of His life and ministry. He communed with His Father till the close of His life, when there rose from His lips the bitter cry, caused by the agony brought upon Him by the sins of the world, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Then in a voice which has reached to the very ends of the earth He exclaimed, “It is finished,” “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit.” [John 19:30; Luke 23:46.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Ms 93, 1899
14LtMs, Ms 93, 1899, par. 23
The Captain of our salvation was perfected through suffering. His soul was made an offering for sin. It was necessary for the awful darkness to gather about His soul because of the withdrawal of the Father’s love and favor, for He was standing in the sinner’s place, and this darkness every sinner must experience. The righteous One must suffer the condemnation and wrath of God, not in vindictiveness; for the heart of God yearned with greatest sorrow when His Son, <the Guiltless,> was suffering the penalty of sin. This sundering of the divine powers will never again occur throughout the eternal ages. In His expiring agony nature sympathized with her suffering, dying Author. The sun was darkened. The rocks were rent. There was a great earthquake, and many graves were opened as Christ with a loud voice cried, “It is finished. Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit.” “Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.” [John 19:30; Luke 23:46, 47.]Lift Him Up
In the Father’s Arms, March 30
LHU 103.2
Before the foundations of the earth were laid, the Father and the Son had united in a covenant to redeem man if he should be overcome by Satan. They had clasped Their hands in a solemn pledge that Christ should become the surety for the human race. This pledge Christ has fulfilled. When upon the cross He cried out, “It is finished,” He addressed the Father. The compact had been fully carried out. Now He declares: Father, it is finished. I have done Thy will, O My God. I have completed the work of redemption. If Thy justice is satisfied, “I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am” (John 19:30; 17:24).Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Ms 142, 1899
14LtMs, Ms 142, 1899, par. 18
Let us try to understand something of the mighty work that Christ did by His incarnation, His life of humiliation, His lessons, His deed of mercy. “For our sakes he became poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich.” [2 Corinthians 8:9.] In the strength of that wondrous love, which is unexplainable to humanity, He arose, and laying hold of the world, held it in His grasp. Satan, claiming the world as his rightful territory, sought by every device to wrench it from the Redeemer’s grasp, but by His life and death of humiliation Christ held it fast. And when in His dying agony Christ cried out, “It is finished” [John 19:30], He drew the world back into favor with God. Satan knew that his triumph was short.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Ms 94, 1899
14LtMs, Ms 94, 1899, par. 33
Christ regarded the enemies of the human race as His enemies. In our behalf he overcame Satan, gaining an everlasting victory for all who will receive him. He engaged in the warfare, and did not give up, but resisted even unto death; and in dying He gained the victory for which He came to our world. Before He died He cried out, “It is finished.” “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit.” [John 19:30; Luke 23:46.] To His disciples He said, “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” [John 16:33.] Christ has left us a perfect, sinless example. His followers are to walk in His footsteps. If they are not transformed in character, they can never dwell with Him in His kingdom. Christ died to elevate and ennoble them, and those who retain hereditary tendencies to wrong cannot dwell with Him. He suffered all that it is possible for human flesh to suffer and endure, that we might pass triumphantly through all the temptations Satan may invent to destroy our faith.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)
Ms 130, 1901
16LtMs, Ms 130, 1901, par. 10
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” [John 13:34.] The Lord our Redeemer had not yet demonstrated fully that love to its completeness. After His condemnation in the judgment hall, His crucifixion on the cross, when He cried out in clear, loud voice, “It is finished,” that love stands forth as an exhibition of a new love—“as I have loved you”—is demonstrated. [John 19:30.] Can the human mind take this in? Can we obey the commandment given? Christ requires nothing of any soul that it is not possible for him to do. “By this (revealing of unity and love one for the other) shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” [John 13:35.] “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” [John 14:15.] “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. ... If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:21, 23. “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” [John 15:8-12.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Lt 125, 1902
17LtMs, Lt 125, 1902, par. 11
In clear, trumpet-like tones that seemed to resound throughout creation, Jesus cried, “It is finished.” “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit.” [John 19:30; Luke 23:46.] A light encircles the cross, and the face of the Saviour shines with the glory like the sun. He then bowed His head and died. Again darkness settled upon the earth, and a hoarse rumbling like thunder was heard. There was a violent earthquake. In the surrounding mountains, rocks were rent and went crashing down into the plains. Sepulchers were broken open, and the dead were cast out of the tombs. Creation seemed shivering to atoms. Rulers, soldiers, executioners, mute with terror, lay prostrate on the ground.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 1, 1902
17LtMs, Ms 1, 1902, par. 12
Actuated by satanic influences, men clamored for the crucifixion of Christ. All heaven watched the successive steps of Christ’s humiliation—His trial, rejection, and death. When on the cross He exclaimed, “It is finished,” the warfare was ended. [John 19:30.] The blood of the Innocent was shed for the guilty. The life that He gave up ransomed man from eternal death and sealed the doom of him who had the power of death—the devil.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 96, 1902
17LtMs, Ms 96, 1902, par. 32
If it were not for the light that is given us from above, we could not follow step by step in God’s footsteps. Christ came to this world in order that we might have this light. He is “the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” He, the Majesty of heaven, the Son of the living God, the One equal with the Father, came to our world to stand by the side of fallen beings, through His sacrifice giving value to humanity. Lower and still lower He stepped in humiliation, until it was impossible for Him to descend any lower. For our sake He suffered and died. While hanging upon the cross, He exclaimed, “It is finished.” [John 19:30.] He had accomplished His work for us; He had become the propitiation for our sins; He had made it possible for us to become clean through faith in Him.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 235, 1902
17LtMs, Ms 235, 1902, par. 18
The Lord has proved and pledged His great love to us. He paid the penalty of our transgressions, which was death. He was delivered up for us all. Our sins were transferred to His soul. They were laid upon Him and He was treated as if He was guilty of our sins. He suffered the penalty of death under the weight of the tremendous load. He puts away the sins of every believing soul. The smoke of that sacrifice ascended to heaven and darkened the earth in its dreary blackness. The words, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” were followed by the loud, despairing cry, “It is finished.” [Mark 15:34, 37; John 19:30.] The dying, anguished cry of the Victim upon the cross shook the earth; the rocks rent, the graves opened, the earthquake alarmed the people, while the darkness hid the face of Christ.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Ms 140, 1903
18LtMs, Ms 140, 1903, par. 30
Christ was crucified, and in His death the powers of hell seemed to prevail. But even when on the cross the Saviour cried, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” He was conqueror over the power of darkness. [Matthew 27:46.] When the words, “It is finished” [John 19:30], came from His pale, trembling lips, darkness like the darkness of midnight hid His dying agony from the eyes of the spectators. Through long hours of agony He had been gazed upon by the jesting multitude. Now He was mercifully hidden by the mantle of God.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Lt 106, 1903
18LtMs, Lt 106, 1903, par. 24
“I Jesus have sent Mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. I have united humanity and divinity, and My office invests Me with all power in heaven and in earth. I have ordained that angels and men shall be employed in My work. Divine and human instrumentalities are to unite. I have given the churches instruction regarding what they are to do. My work is to be carried forward until I shall arise and proclaim with a loud voice, ‘It is finished.’ [John 19:30.] I have opened a fountain of living water for a perishing world. Agencies from the heavenly courts unite in urging the members of the church on earth to give the invitation to come to the water of life. Each one, feeble though he may deem himself, is to voice My words and perform some part of My work. I call upon those who have received the truth to take up the work entrusted to them. Do your best. Proclaim the gospel invitation. Unite with those who are already at work. I testify that if any one shall alter the words of the prophecy of this book, engendering unbelief, and causing My words to lose the practical application which I thus fully and authoritatively give them, I will visit him with signal marks of My displeasure.”Patriarchs and Prophets
Chapter 4—The Plan of Redemption
PP 69.3
It was the marvel of all the universe that Christ should humble Himself to save fallen man. That He who had passed from star to star, from world to world, superintending all, by His providence supplying the needs of every order of being in His vast creation—that He should consent to leave His glory and take upon Himself human nature, was a mystery which the sinless intelligences of other worlds desired to understand. When Christ came to our world in the form of humanity, all were intensely interested in following Him as He traversed, step by step, the bloodstained path from the manger to Calvary. Heaven marked the insult and mockery that He received, and knew that it was at Satan’s instigation. They marked the work of counteragencies going forward; Satan constantly pressing darkness, sorrow, and suffering upon the race, and Christ counteracting it. They watched the battle between light and darkness as it waxed stronger. And as Christ in His expiring agony upon the cross cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30), a shout of triumph rang through every world and through heaven itself. The great contest that had been so long in progress in this world was now decided, and Christ was conqueror. His death had answered the question whether the Father and the Son had sufficient love for man to exercise self-denial and a spirit of sacrifice. Satan had revealed his true character as a liar and a murderer. It was seen that the very same spirit with which he had ruled the children of men who were under his power, he would have manifested if permitted to control the intelligences of heaven. With one voice the loyal universe united in extolling the divine administration.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)
Ms 134, 1905
20LtMs, Ms 134, 1905, par. 11
Christ did not yield up His life until He had accomplished the work that He came to do; and with His parting breath, He exclaimed, “It is finished.” [John 19:30.] The battle had been won. His right hand and His holy arm had gotten Him the victory. As a conqueror He planted His banner on the eternal heights. Was there not joy among the angels. All heaven triumphed in the Saviour’s victory. Satan was defeated and knew that his kingdom was lost.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)
Ms 38, 1905
20LtMs, Ms 38, 1905, par. 4
When in his expiring moments on the cross Christ exclaimed, “It is finished,” the veil of the temple was rent from top to bottom. [John 19:30; Matthew 27:50, 51.] The need for the Jewish system of sacrifices and offerings had ended. Type had met antitype in the death of the One to whom the sacrifices pointed. A new and living way had been opened—a way by which Jew and Gentile, free and bond, could come to God and find pardon and peace.Jesus, Name Above All Names
Finisher of the Work, September 29
JNN 287.1
So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!”—John 19:30Jesus, Name Above All Names
Surety for the Human Race, December 31
JNN 383.4
But He waves them back. Not yet; He cannot now receive the coronet of glory and the royal robe. He enters into the presence of His Father. He points to His wounded head, the pierced side, the marred feet; He lifts His hands, bearing the print of nails. He points to the tokens of His triumph; He presents to God the wave sheaf, those raised with Him as representatives of that great multitude who shall come forth from the grave at His second coming. He approaches the Father, with whom there is joy over one sinner that repents; who rejoices over one with singing. Before the foundations of the earth were laid, the Father and the Son had united in a covenant to redeem men and women if they should be overcome by Satan. They had clasped Their hands in a solemn pledge that Christ should become the Surety for the Human Race. This pledge Christ has fulfilled. When upon the cross He cried out, “It is finished,” He addressed the Father. The compact had been fully carried out. Now He declares: Father, it is finished. I have done Thy will, O My God. I have completed the work of redemption. If Thy justice is satisfied, “I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am” (John 19:30; 17:24).Reflecting Christ
God’s Law Is Changeless, February 5
RC 50.6
Heaven marked the insult and mockery that He received, and knew that it was at Satan’s instigation.... They watched the battle between light and darkness as it waxed stronger. And as Christ in His expiring agony upon the cross cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30), a shout of triumph rang through every world and through heaven itself.... Satan had revealed his true character.... The very fact that Christ bore the penalty of man’s transgression is a mighty argument to all created intelligences that the law is changeless; that God is righteous, merciful, and self-denying; and that infinite justice and mercy unite in the administration of His government.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 68-70.Selected Messages Book 1
Chapter 45—The First Fruits
1SM 304.1
When Christ cried out while upon the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30), there was a mighty earthquake, that rent open the graves of many who had been faithful and loyal, bearing their testimony against every evil work, and magnifying the Lord of hosts. As the Life-giver came forth from the sepulcher, proclaiming, “I am the resurrection, and the life” (John 11:25), He summoned these saints from the grave. When alive, they had borne their testimony unflinchingly for the truth; now, they were to be witnesses to Him who had raised them from the dead. These, said Christ, are no longer the captives of Satan. I have redeemed them; I have brought them from the grave as the first fruits of My power, to be with Me where I am, nevermore to see death or experience sorrow.The Desire of Ages
Chapter 53—The Last Journey From Galilee
DA 490.2
The scenes of the past and the future were presented to the mind of Jesus. He beheld Lucifer as he was first cast out from the heavenly places. He looked forward to the scenes of His own agony, when before all the worlds the character of the deceiver should be unveiled. He heard the cry, “It is finished” (John 19:30), announcing that the redemption of the lost race was forever made certain, that heaven was made eternally secure against the accusations, the deceptions, the pretensions, that Satan would instigate.John 19:30-36
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 91, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 91, 1897, par. 7
There was a mighty earthquake. The rocks were rent; the graves of many dead burst opened, and all nature was in commotion, expressing her sympathy with her dying Author. The Roman centurion, in charge of his soldiers, halted at the cross, and when Christ uttered the cry, “It is finished; into thy hands I commend my spirit,” overpowering conviction came upon him. “Truly,” he said, “this man was the Son of God.” [John 19:30; Luke 23:46; Mark 15:39.]12LtMs, Ms 91, 1897, par. 11
“But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true, and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For those things were done, that the Scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.” [John 19:34-36.]John 19:30-37
The Desire of Ages
Chapter 80—In Joseph’s Tomb
DA 771.1
Yet the priests and rulers were not at rest. They had carried out their purpose in putting Christ to death; but they did not feel the sense of victory they had expected. Even in the hour of their apparent triumph, they were harassed with doubts as to what would next take place. They had heard the cry, “It is finished.” “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” John 19:30; Luke 23:46. They had seen the rocks rent, and had felt the mighty earthquake, and they were restless and uneasy.DA 771.4
The priests and rulers were amazed to find that Christ was dead. Death by the cross was a lingering process; it was difficult to determine when life had ceased. It was an unheard-of thing for one to die within six hours of crucifixion. The priests wished to make sure of the death of Jesus, and at their suggestion a soldier thrust a spear into the Saviour’s side. From the wound thus made, there flowed two copious and distinct streams, one of blood, the other of water. This was noted by all the beholders, and John states the occurrence very definitely. He says, “One of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of Him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on Him whom they pierced.” John 19:34-37.From Heaven With Love
Chapter 80—Jesus Rests in Joseph’s Tomb
HLv 513.2
But the Jewish leaders were unchanged; their hatred had not abated. The darkness at the crucifixion was not more dense than that which still enveloped their minds. Inanimate nature had known Christ and borne witness to His divinity. But the priests and rulers of Israel knew not the Son of God. They had put Christ to death; but even in the hour of their apparent triumph, they were harassed with doubts. What would next take place? They had heard the cry, “It is finished.” John 19:30. They had felt the mighty earthquake, and they were uneasy. They dreaded the dead Christ far more than they had feared the living Christ. They dreaded any further attention to the events attending His crucifixion. Not on any account would they have His body remain on the cross during the Sabbath. It would be a violation of its sanctity for the bodies to hang on the cross. So, using this as a pretext, leading Jews requested Pilate that the death of the victims might be hastened, and their bodies be removed before the setting of the sun.HLv 514.2
John states: “One of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith there came out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true... . These things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of Him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on Him whom they pierced.” John 19:34-37.John 19:36
Patriarchs and Prophets
Chapter 24—The Passover
PP 277.3
The lamb was to be prepared whole, not a bone of it being broken: so not a bone was to be broken of the Lamb of God, who was to die for us. John 19:36. Thus was also represented the completeness of Christ’s sacrifice.From Eternity Past
The Passover Points to Christ
EP 191.2
The lamb was to be prepared whole, not a bone being broken; so not a bone was to be broken of the Lamb of God, who was to die for us. See John 19:36.John 19:38-42
Conflict and Courage
Secret Friends No Longer, November 17
CC 327.1
Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. John 19:38, 39.CC 327.2
Neither Joseph nor Nicodemus had openly accepted the Saviour while He was living. They knew that such a step would exclude them from the Sanhedrin, and they hoped to protect Him by their influence in its councils. For a time they had seemed to succeed; but the wily priests, seeing their favor to Christ, had thwarted their plans. In their absence Jesus had been condemned and delivered to be crucified. Now that He was dead, they no longer concealed their attachment to Him. While the disciples feared to show themselves openly as His followers, Joseph and Nicodemus came boldly to their aid....CC 327.3
Nicodemus, when he saw Jesus lifted up on the cross, remembered His words spoken by night in the Mount of Olives: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:14, 15).CC 327.4
On that Sabbath, when Christ lay in the grave, Nicodemus had opportunity for reflection. A clearer light now illuminated his mind, and the words which Jesus had spoken to him were no longer mysterious. He felt that he had lost much by not connecting himself with the Saviour during His life. Now he recalled the events of Calvary. The prayer of Christ for His murderers and His answer to the petition of the dying thief spoke to the heart of the learned councilor. Again he looked upon the Saviour in His agony; again he heard that last cry, “It is finished,” spoken like the words of a conqueror. Again he beheld the reeling earth, the darkened heavens, the rent veil, the shivered rocks, and his faith was forever established.CC 327.5
The very event that destroyed the hopes of the disciples convinced Joseph and Nicodemus of the divinity of Jesus. Their fears were overcome by the courage of a firm and unwavering faith.38Ibid., 773-776.EGW Writings — Ellen G. White. Ellen G. White Estate · all rights reserved
John 19:15
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)
Lt 25b, 1892
7LtMs, Lt 25b, 1892, par. 27
True Christianity will always be aggressive, and wherever it exists it will arouse enmity. All who live a conscientious life, who bear testimony of the claims of God, of the evil of sin, of the judgment to come, will be called the disturbers of Israel. Those, whose testimony awakens the apprehension of the soul, offend pride and arouse opposition. The hatred of evil against good exists as surely now as in the days of Christ when the multitudes cried, “Away with him!” “Release unto us Barabbas.” [John 19:15; Luke 23:18.] There is no kind of evil in our world but that some have an interest in maintaining it. Evil is ever warring against good. And since we know that the conflict with the prince of darkness is constant and must be severe, let us be united in the warfare. Cease to war against those of your own faith. Let no one help Satan in his work. We have all that we can do in another direction.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 110, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 110, 1897, par. 11
When the Jews appeared before Pilate to secure Christ, they said, “We have no king but Caesar.” [John 19:15.] By this they confessed that the scepter had indeed departed from Judah.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Ms 22, 1900
15LtMs, Ms 22, 1900, par. 20
“Then the high priest rose up and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation.” [Verse 17.] Had they not chosen Barabbas instead of Christ? When Pilate had asked, “What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?” and they cried out “Crucify him.” “We have no king but Caesar”? [Mark 15:12, 13; John 19:15.] And when Pilate took water and washed his hands, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just person,” did they not answer with angry vehemence, “His blood be on us and on our children”? [Matthew 27:24, 25.] But they were not so eager to have their cruel work appear in its true light. They were inspired by the spirit that inspires all who turn from light and evidence and place themselves under the black banner of rebellion, and “they laid hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.” [Acts 5:18.]