Perhaps the most popular “proof-text”
for the doctrine of Penal Substitution is John 19:30. The argument goes that
the term, “it is finished/done” means that the legal penalty for sin was paid
in full by Christ, and that there is no need for ordinances or other actions by
man for salvation and/or to maintain one’s salvation. The text reads:
When
Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished; and he bowed
his head and gave up the ghost.
The term translated in the KJV as “It
is finished” is a single Greek term, τετελεσται, the perfect passive indicative form of the verb
meaning “to complete” (τελεω). It should be noted that τετελεσται, in
verse 30, stands without a subject or object, thus having no specific
grammatical referent.
Τετελεσται is used twice in the LXX and one other time in the
Greek NT, and in neither of these instances does it have such connotations that
many Protestant apologists claim it does.
Ezra 7:12 (LXX) reads:
Αρθασασθα βασιλεὺς βασιλέων Εσδρα γραμματεῖ νόμου τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ τετέλεσται ὁ λόγος καὶ ἡ ἀπόκρισις
Brenton, in his translation of the
LXX, renders the above as:
Arthasastha, king of kings, to Esdras, the scribe of
the law of the Lord God of heaven, Let the order and the answer be accomplished.
3 Maccabees 5:27 (NRSV) reads:
But he, on receiving the report and being struck by
the unusual invitation to come out -- since he had been completely overcome by
incomprehension -- inquired what the matter was for which this had been so
zealously completed (τετελεσται) for
him.
The only other time in the New
Testament this phrase occurs is in the context of John 19:30 itself, verse 28:
After
this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished (τετελεσται), that
the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
The most natural and historical interpretation of
the text suggests that “it is finished” refers to the accomplishment of all the details that were required prior
to Christ’s death, for once these details are completed, Jesus utters, “it is
finished” and gives up the spirit and dies. Jesus desires to accomplish all the specific
prophecies of the Old Testament. The previous use of τετελεσται in verse 28, quoted above, makes this clear.
Fulfilment of Scripture is also evident in John 19:24 (cf. Luke 24:25-27).
Hence, the primary contextual referent for “it is finished” is the fulfilment
of Scripture. In addition, Jesus desires to secure the care of His mother,
Mary, and thus gives custody of her to John the apostle at the foot of the
cross (John 19:25-27). Once these things are accomplished, Jesus can then die.
Hence, the scriptural prophecies concerning His suffering and death are
finished, but the text does not discuss the nature of His sacrifice, as such is
something the text does not even begin to discuss, let alone settle.