1. Pilate’s Words

“So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves’” (Matt. 27:24).

2. Criminal’s Words

“so they said to one another, ‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.’ This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, ‘They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.’ So the soldiers did these things” (John 19:24).

3. Soldiers’ Words

“And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, ‘Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!’” (Mark 15:29–30).

4. Bystanders’ Words

“But the others said, ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him’” (Matthew 27:49).

5. Chief Priests’ Words

“So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, ‘He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.’ Those who were crucified with him also reviled him” (Mark 15:31-32).

6. Criminal’s Words

“And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise’” (Luke 23:42-43).

7. Centurion’s Words

“And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God!’” (Mark 15:39).

The Final Word

The gospels challenge us to see where we fall on the spectrum of responses to Christ. When you stand before the cross, what do you see? What will you say? Our response now determines what Jesus will say on the last day when he gives the last word about us.