When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, 'It is finished'; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit — The declaration "Tetelestai!" (It is finished!) announces the passion's completion in perfective tense: the work is accomplished, the redemption effected. The bowing of the head (not the Synoptic final cry "My God, my God") suggests peaceful completion rather than agony. The giving up of spirit (literally, "he sent forth the spirit") presents Jesus as actor, not victim: he lays down his life in sovereign act.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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