After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. The phrase εἰδὼς ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὅτι ἤδη πάντα τετέλεσται (eidōs ho Iēsous hoti ēdē panta tetelestai, 'Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished') reveals Christ's sovereign awareness. He knows (eidōs—perfect knowledge) that His redemptive work is complete except for this final prophetic detail.
The word τετέλεσται (tetelestai, 'accomplished/finished') in perfect tense anticipates His triumphant cry in verse 30. Everything required for salvation has been achieved; one Scripture remains to be fulfilled. Jesus speaks not from mere physical agony but conscious fulfillment of prophecy.
Διψῶ (dipsō, 'I thirst') fulfills Psalm 69:21: 'in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.' Crucifixion caused intense dehydration through blood loss, exposure, and the physical strain of pushing up to breathe. Yet John presents this cry not primarily as suffering but as scriptural fulfillment. Jesus, who offered living water to the Samaritan woman (John 4:10-14) and cried 'If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink' (7:37), now thirsts Himself. The One who satisfies all spiritual thirst endures ultimate physical and spiritual thirst, separated from the Father (Matthew 27:46), bearing sin's curse.
Historical Context
Psalm 69 is a messianic psalm quoted multiple times in the New Testament regarding Jesus (John 2:17, Romans 15:3, Acts 1:20). Its prophecy about being given vinegar to drink was written 1,000 years before the crucifixion. Jesus's conscious fulfillment of this detail demonstrates His awareness of Scripture and His identity as Messiah.
Crucifixion typically lasted hours or even days. Victims died from asphyxiation, exhaustion, dehydration, or shock. The intense thirst resulted from fluid loss and the inability to drink while hanging. Jesus's relatively quick death (six hours) surprised Pilate (Mark 15:44), suggesting the spiritual anguish exceeded even the physical torment.
Questions for Reflection
What does Jesus's sovereign awareness 'that all things were now accomplished' reveal about His control even in suffering?
How does the irony of Jesus thirsting—the One who offers living water—deepen our understanding of His sacrifice?
In what ways does Christ's fulfillment of detailed prophecy even in His dying moments strengthen our confidence in Scripture?
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Analysis & Commentary
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. The phrase εἰδὼς ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὅτι ἤδη πάντα τετέλεσται (eidōs ho Iēsous hoti ēdē panta tetelestai, 'Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished') reveals Christ's sovereign awareness. He knows (eidōs—perfect knowledge) that His redemptive work is complete except for this final prophetic detail.
The word τετέλεσται (tetelestai, 'accomplished/finished') in perfect tense anticipates His triumphant cry in verse 30. Everything required for salvation has been achieved; one Scripture remains to be fulfilled. Jesus speaks not from mere physical agony but conscious fulfillment of prophecy.
Διψῶ (dipsō, 'I thirst') fulfills Psalm 69:21: 'in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.' Crucifixion caused intense dehydration through blood loss, exposure, and the physical strain of pushing up to breathe. Yet John presents this cry not primarily as suffering but as scriptural fulfillment. Jesus, who offered living water to the Samaritan woman (John 4:10-14) and cried 'If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink' (7:37), now thirsts Himself. The One who satisfies all spiritual thirst endures ultimate physical and spiritual thirst, separated from the Father (Matthew 27:46), bearing sin's curse.