What does Luke 23:46 mean?

Jesus has been hanging on the cross for six hours. Before that, He was beaten and scourged. His body is failing. His spirit holds the sins of the world and God's wrath against them. People have passed His cross and made crass, blasphemous comments (Matthew 27:39–40). He has looked down and seen His mother, Mary, looking up at Him (John 19:25–27). The land has gone dark in the middle of the afternoon (Luke 23:44). The final moment has come.

Earlier, when Jesus was teaching His disciples about how He is a good shepherd, He said, "For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father" (John 10:17–18).

Jesus chooses this moment. He quotes Psalm 31:5 and dies. After six hours on the cross, it is time to shed the pain of sin and His broken body. He trusts that the Father will accept His sacrifice. He will meet the thief in paradise (Luke 23:43) and, three days later, return from the grave.

The Gospel writers include different details. Matthew 27:50 and Mark 15:37 say He cries out; John 19:30 explains Jesus cries, "It is finished." Matthew says that it is at this point that the temple veil tears, the earth quakes, rocks are split, and the tombs of Jesus' followers open. Those followers come back to life (Matthew 27:52–53). The people affirm, "Truly this was the Son of God" (Matthew 27:54) and beat their breasts in mourning as they turn away (Luke 23:48). The centurion overseeing the crucifixion proclaims, "Certainly this man was innocent!" (Luke 23:47).

The King James Version uses "gave up the ghost" instead of "breathed his last," much like "gave up his spirit" in John 19:30.