Luther Bible
The work is in three sections, with a central text body compiled from the four Gospels in the Luther Bible, with emphasis on the Seven Words. The preceding Introitus and closing Conclusio are the first and last stanzas of the hymn "Da Jesus an dem Kreuze stund", written by (1472–1539). The hymn already contains a reflection on the Seven Words. In the following text and translation, the intervening text of the Evangelists, also set to be sung, is not shown.