A little late, but Happy Easter, Jessica. However, I've never liked that translation of the Greek "Tetelestai." It's better translated as "accomplished," or "fulfilled." Among biblical scholars, the vast majority believe that what he meant was that the prophecies of the scriptures had been shown to be correct and were now complete. It fell to me to read "the sixth word," a short meditation on the scripture. I read it as "It is accomplished." I'm afraid all too many laypersons read it as meaning "I am finished" or "my crucifixion is finished," when "finished," if it can be used at all as a translation of the Greek, it's the 4th or 5th one. Sorry to blur the good wishes, but I've just been through a debate with my pastor over this issue...Just wanted to wish all my Tide brothers and sisters a very blessed and happy Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It is going to be a beautiful weekend for all the festivities.
It is finished. Christ is risen!
Earle, this is a great point. Believe it or not, I've always interpreted the passage the same as you're saying here and I guess I'm a little surprised your pastor would debate the point. I've always heard it preached from the pulpit pretty much as you have it here. Thanks for insight on the Greek!A little late, but Happy Easter, Jessica. However, I've never liked that translation of the Greek "Tetelestai." It's better translated as "accomplished," or "fulfilled." Among biblical scholars, the vast majority believe that what he meant was that the prophecies of the scriptures had been shown to be correct and were now complete. It fell to me to read "the sixth word," a short meditation on the scripture. I read it as "It is accomplished." I'm afraid all too many laypersons read it as meaning "I am finished" or "my crucifixion is finished," when "finished," if it can be used at all as a translation of the Greek, it's the 4th or 5th one. Sorry to blur the good wishes, but I've just been through a debate with my pastor over this issue...
I worded that badly. We were really discussing which alternatives to use. I don't really know the origin of the meditation he gave me. It started out with "finished," but it also had "accomplished." I kept that and added "fulfilled" in one spot. I think of "completed," for some reason, but it's the most accurate and simplest translation of all...
