“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished’” (John 19:30a).
This is the 6th of the 7 “words” or statements that Jesus spoke while on the cross. “It is finished” is the English translation of the Greek word “tetelestai”.“Tetelestai” comes from the verb “teleo”, which means “to bring to an end, to complete, to accomplish.” It’s a crucial word because it signifies the successful end to a particular course of action.
“Tetelestai” is in the perfect tense in Greek. That’s significant because the perfect tense speaks of an action which has been completed in the past with results continuing into the present. It’s different from the past tense which looks back to an event and states, “This happened.” The perfect tense adds the idea, “This happened and it is still in effect today.”
There were several ways the word “tetelestai” was used in Greco-Roman culture—all of them illustrative of Jesus’ finished work on the cross.
A servant might have confidently said “tetelestai” when asked by his master if the work he had been assigned to do was complete. Likewise, Jesus, the Suffering Servant, completed the work His Father had given Him when He said, “It is finished.”
A judge might have said “tetelestai” when he conferred a sentence or when issuing a ruling that a sentence had been completed. The judge would say, “Justice has been served.” On the cross, Jesus satisfied the justice of God by paying the penalty for sin, death. “It is finished” meant God’s justice had been served.
A soldier might have said “tetelestai” as a battle cry toward a defeated enemy. The soldier would yell, “You are finished!” Jesus’ cry on the cross was not one of despair or defeat. When Jesus cried with a loud voice, He was declaring victory of the enemy–Satan, sin, and death. Satan, you are defeated! Sin, your power is gone! Death no longer needs to be feared!
A merchant might have said “tetelestai” after stamping a bill “the debt has been paid.” The Christian’s debt has been paid in full by the propitiation of Jesus Christ. “God [has] made [us] alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Colossians 2:13-15). It is finished!
Because “it is finished” and Jesus paid my debt in full, I don’t have to. Jesus took my place on the cross! Because “it is finished”, I now realize how awful my sin was and is as well as how awesome God’s love for me is. Because “it is finished”, I can have the assurance of eternal life. Because “it is finished”, I can live differently. Jesus has defeated the power of sin! Because “it is finished”, I can have a close, intimate relationship with God. Because “it is finished”, I can receive healing – spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical!