Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19 – “It Is Finished”

Jesus endured the mockery of those who should have honored him and chose to sacrifice himself. He showed his mercy in asking forgiveness for the Roman soldiers.

“On the Cross (Luke 23:34–38),” S. Kent Brown, from The Testimony of Luke, BYU New Testament Commentary

Jesus shows his grace and benevolence when he asks the Father to forgive the soldiers who crucify him. Here is the New Rendition, Analysis, and Notes on each of these five crucial verses.

“Why Should the Cross Be Meaningful to Latter-day Saints?” Gaye Strathearn, BYU New Testament Commentary

The scriptures repeatedly teach that the events on the cross are essential to our salvation.

“The Trial and Death of Jesus,” John W. Welch, BYU New Testament Commentary

Many actors were involved in the death of Jesus. Religious and political leaders succumbed to their fears.

“Four Perspectives on the Trial and Resurrection of Jesus,” John W. Welch, BYU New Testament Commentary

Each Gospel presents its perspective on the essential role Jesus filled through his Atonement.

“And Peter Went Out and Wept Bitterly,” Gordon B. Hinckley, New Era, April 1982

President Hinckley likens Peter’s denial of the Savior and his subsequent repentance to our own loss of faith and need to return to the truth.

“The Search for the Physical Cause of Jesus Christ’s Death,” W. Reid Litchfield, BYU Studies 37, no. 4

The Bible provides some clues of the physical cause of Jesus Christ’s death, leading to theories of ruptured heart, asphyxia, cardiovascular collapse, aspiration, or fatal syncope. Reid Litchfield analyses these proposals and then makes his own argument that Jesus died of a cardiac arrhythmia.

“Peter, My Brother,” Spencer W. Kimball, The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles, 1979

Peter denied knowing Jesus, but Jesus forgave him. We also can forgive Peter and admire his strengths.

“The Use of Gethsemane by Church Leaders, 1859-2018,” John Hilton III, Joshua P. Barringer, BYU Studies Quarterly 58, no. 4 

This study identifies what Church leaders have taught about Gethsemane by analyzing their talks.

“The Teachings of Church Leaders Regarding the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, 1852-2018,” John Hilton III, Emily K. Hyde, McKenna Grace Trussel, BYU Studies Quarterly 59, no. 1  

While Church leaders testify of the importance of Christ’s suffering in Gethsemane, they mention the saving importance of the Crucifixion five times more than they do Gethsemane.