Charles Ellicott Commentary John 19:30

"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up his spirit." — John 19:30 (ASV)

It is finished.—That is (compare to John 19:28, and John 17:4), the work which God had given Him to do. (Compare to Notes on Matthew 27:50, and Luke 23:46.) This word is the expression by Jesus Himself of what Saint John had expressed by saying, Jesus knowing that all things were now finished, that the Scriptures should be fulfilled.

The order of the seven words of the cross will be:

1. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34);
2. Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise (Luke 23:43);
3. Woman, behold thy son, Behold thy mother (John 19:26–27);
4. Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34);
5. I thirst (John 19:28);
6. It is finished (John 19:29);
7. Into Thy hands I commend My spirit (Luke 23:46).

And he bowed his head.—This reminiscence of the very attitude of the last moments is peculiar to Saint John.

And gave up the ghost.—Compare to John 10:18, and Notes on Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:37; and Luke 23:46. All the expressions used lay stress on the voluntary action of the death.