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 23:46KJV
Know the Bible

Luke 23:46 (KJV)

What does Luke 23:46 mean?

Luke 23:46 records Jesus’ final words on the cross, where he calls out loudly to God, entrusting his spirit into God’s care before dying. This verse shows Jesus consciously giving himself over to God at the moment of his death.

Jesus is speaking directly to God the Father while being crucified, surrounded by onlookers and Roman soldiers. By saying, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit,” Jesus expresses trust and surrender, echoing words from Psalm 31:5. The verse highlights Jesus’ deliberate act of handing over his life, rather than simply succumbing to death.

The Greek behind Luke 23:46

  • κράξας (kraxas, “cried”): This word means to cry out or shout loudly. Luke emphasizes that Jesus’ final words were spoken with strength and intention, not weakness.
  • παρατίθεμαι (paratithemai, “commend”): This means to entrust or place something into someone’s care. Jesus is actively placing his spirit in God’s hands, showing a conscious and voluntary act.
  • πνεῦμα (pneuma, “spirit”): This word can mean breath, wind, or spirit. Here, it refers to Jesus’ life or inner self, which he entrusts to God.

Why Luke 23:46 matters

  • Luke 23:46 clarifies that Jesus’ death was a voluntary act of trust in God, not just a physical event forced upon him.
  • The verse connects Jesus’ death to Old Testament scripture (Psalm 31:5), showing continuity with Jewish faith and hope in God’s deliverance.
  • Luke’s account highlights Jesus’ relationship with God as Father, emphasizing intimacy and trust even in his final moments.

Where else these words appear

“ghost” Greek G1606 · used in 3 verses

  • Mark 15:37 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.
  • Mark 15:39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

“commend” Greek G3908 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
  • Luke 9:16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.
  • Acts 17:3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

“cried” Greek G5455 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 20:32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
  • Luke 8:8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
  • John 9:18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.

“voice” Greek G5456 · used in 129 verses

  • Matthew 2:18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
  • John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
  • Revelation 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;