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Why did Jesus exclaim 'I thirst'? What is the significance of these words? Can we as mere mortals ever understand His meaning?

Yes! We can understand His words with certainty.

To understand the significance Jesus plea will take a little sleuthing and piecing together of biblical evidence.

Let's begin!

The gospel of John provides the only historical record of Jesus declaration of thirst and significantly, the reason for His plea.

John 19: 28 - 'After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that Scripture might be fulfilled, said I thirst'. (KJV)

Clearly Jesus said 'I thirst', in order that scripture might be fulfilled!

Fascinating, but what does it mean?

The phrase 'that the Scripture might be fulfilled' is a common New Testament phrase employed to support of Jesus' claim to Messiahship. Any reader familiar with the gospels will also be familiar with these phrases.

Jesus declaration of thirst was a fulfillment of an old testament Scripture*. Readers with a contextual margin in their Bible will note the reference to Jesus words, 'I thirst':

Psalm 69:21: "They gave Me also gall for My meat; and in My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink."

The New Testament records that Jesus was not offered a refreshing drink in response to His request, 'I thirst', but rather a potion of gall mixed with vinegar (see Matthew 27:34). The offer of this unusual potion was actually common practice during a Roman crucifixion. It is unlikely a group of pagan Roman soldiers would offer the potion to support Jesus claim to Messiahship. They were more likely following the common practice of the day. Furthermore the cruel act of crucifixion had not been invented at the time the prophecy was penned.

According to John 19:28, Jesus declaration of thirst fulfilled a prophecy of Scripture that supports His claim of Messiahship. This is the only significance Bible writers intended for Jesus exclamation, 'I thirst'.

*The Scriptures referred to in New Testament times were the ancient Hebrew Scriptures which now form the Old Testament of the Christian Bible.

Learn more about this author, Kelleigh Gray.
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