Mark 15:34

KJV

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} at the ninth {G1766} hour {G5610} Jesus {G2424} cried {G994} with a loud {G3173} voice {G5456}, saying {G3004}, Eloi {G1682}, Eloi {G1682}, lama {G2982} sabachthani {G4518}? which {G3739} is {G2076}, being interpreted {G3177}, My {G3450} God {G2316}, my {G3450} God {G2316}, why {G5101} hast {G1519} thou forsaken {G1459} me {G3165}?

Complete Jewish Bible

At three, he uttered a loud cry, "Elohi! Elohi! L'mah sh'vaktani?" (which means, "My God! My God! Why have you deserted me?")

Berean Standard Bible

At the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

American Standard Version

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 15:34 records the most agonizing cry of Jesus from the cross: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" This profound utterance, made at the ninth hour (approximately 3 PM) after three hours of supernatural darkness, reveals the unique and unfathomable spiritual suffering of Christ. As the sin-bearer for humanity, Jesus experienced a profound, albeit temporary, separation from the Father, enduring the full weight of divine wrath against sin to accomplish the redemption of the world.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This cry is situated at the climax of Mark's Passion Narrative, immediately following the three hours of supernatural darkness that enveloped the land from noon until the ninth hour ([Mark 15:33](/mark/15-33 "Mark 15:33 - Darkness Over the Land")). This darkness is widely interpreted as a physical manifestation of God's judgment being poured out upon Jesus as He bore the sins of the world. The cry of abandonment is swiftly followed by Jesus' death ([Mark 15:37](/mark/15-37 "Mark 15:37 - Jesus' Death")) and the dramatic tearing of the temple veil from top to bottom ([Mark 15:38](/mark/15-38 "Mark 15:38 - The Tearing of the Temple Veil")), signifying immediate access to God through Christ's sacrifice. The raw, desperate nature of this cry stands in stark contrast to Jesus' earlier composure and confident declarations, highlighting the unique spiritual agony He endured. The parallel account in [Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry on the Cross") underscores its significance across the Gospel narratives.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The crucifixion was a brutal Roman method of execution designed to inflict maximum pain and public humiliation. Jesus' cry occurred at the "ninth hour," which was approximately 3 PM, a significant time in Jewish daily life, often associated with the evening sacrifice at the Temple. The language Jesus used, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani," is Aramaic, the common Semitic language spoken by Jews in Palestine during the first century, rather than Hebrew. Mark, writing primarily for a Gentile audience, immediately provides the Greek interpretation, demonstrating his pastoral concern to make the profound meaning accessible. The cry itself is a direct quotation from [Psalm 22:1](/psalm/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - A Messianic Prophecy of Suffering"), a psalm deeply embedded in Jewish messianic expectation, which begins with a lament of abandonment but progresses to a declaration of God's ultimate triumph and worldwide worship.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 15:34 profoundly contributes to several central themes within the Gospel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Abandonment and Spiritual Separation**. As Jesus became "sin for us" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), He experienced the full, unmitigated wrath of God against sin, resulting in a unique and agonizing spiritual separation from the Father, a state utterly foreign to His eternal being. Secondly, this cry underscores the theme of **Vicarious Suffering and Atonement**. Jesus did not merely suffer physically; He endured the spiritual death and alienation that humanity deserved, making full atonement for sin. This aligns perfectly with the Suffering Servant prophecies of [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"), particularly [Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5-6 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - He Was Pierced for Our Transgressions"), where the servant bears our griefs and carries our sorrows. Thirdly, it emphasizes the **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, as Jesus' words directly quote [Psalm 22:1](/psalm/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - Messianic Prophecy of Suffering and Triumph"), signaling to those who knew the Scriptures that His suffering was not random but part of God's redemptive plan. Finally, the verse powerfully illustrates the **Immense Cost of Redemption**, revealing the unfathomable price paid by the Son of God to reconcile sinful humanity to a holy God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Eloi (Chaldean, _eloḯ_):** This Aramaic term, meaning "My God," is a deeply personal and intimate address. Despite the profound spiritual agony and feeling of abandonment, Jesus still addresses God as "My God," indicating that the relationship, though strained by the burden of sin, was not utterly severed in essence. It speaks to a wrestling within the divine-human person of Christ, maintaining a connection even in the moment of deepest desolation.
* **lama (Hebrew, _lamá_):** This interrogative word, meaning "why," expresses the profound anguish and bewilderment of Jesus. It is not a question of ignorance, but a cry of deep spiritual distress, a lament that echoes the human experience of suffering and questioning God's presence in pain. It highlights the depth of the Father's turning away from the Son as He bore the world's sin.
* **forsaken (Greek, _enkataleípō_):** This Greek word, translating the Aramaic "sabachthani," means "to leave behind in some place" or, in a negative sense, "to desert." In the context of Mark 15:34, it signifies a complete and utter abandonment, a profound spiritual separation. This was not a relational break in the Trinity, but a functional and experiential abandonment as the Father poured out His wrath on the Son who had become sin for humanity, a unique and necessary act for atonement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice":** This phrase sets the precise timing of the cry, indicating it occurred at 3 PM, after three hours of supernatural darkness. The "loud voice" emphasizes the intensity and public nature of Jesus' agony, suggesting that despite His physical weakness, this was a deliberate and powerful utterance, not a whisper of despair. It highlights the profound significance of this moment.
* **"saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"":** These are Jesus' exact words in Aramaic, the common language of the time. The repetition of "Eloi" underscores the intensity of His plea and the depth of His personal address to God. This direct quotation from Psalm 22:1 immediately connects Jesus' suffering to ancient messianic prophecy.
* **"which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?":** Mark, writing for a Hellenistic audience, provides the immediate Greek translation of Jesus' Aramaic cry. This interpretation clarifies the profound meaning of Jesus' words: He felt utterly abandoned by God. This "forsaking" was not a cessation of the Father-Son relationship but a necessary, temporary spiritual separation as Jesus, the sinless Lamb, bore the full weight of humanity's sin and experienced the divine wrath against it.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 15:34 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological and emotional weight. The use of **Aramaic Transliteration** ("Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?") followed immediately by its **Greek Interpretation** ("My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?") serves to authenticate the event, lending an immediate and visceral sense of reality to Jesus' cry. It also demonstrates Mark's pastoral care for his Gentile audience, ensuring they grasp the profound meaning of this pivotal moment. The verse is a direct **Quotation** from [Psalm 22:1](/psalm/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - A Prophecy of Suffering"), which is a powerful literary and theological device. By quoting the opening line of this messianic psalm, Jesus not only fulfills prophecy but also implicitly points to the entire psalm, which begins with lament but ends with a declaration of God's faithfulness and ultimate triumph, providing a broader context of hope beyond the immediate agony. The scene also utilizes **Pathos**, evoking deep sympathy and understanding of the immense suffering Christ endured, not just physically but spiritually. The **Contrast** between the preceding supernatural darkness and this cry of spiritual darkness highlights the unique nature of Jesus' suffering as the sin-bearer.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 15:34 stands as a theological cornerstone, revealing the horrific cost of sin and the astonishing depth of God's love. Jesus' cry of abandonment signifies the moment He fully bore the world's sin, experiencing the just wrath of a holy God. This was not a relational break within the Trinity, but a unique, functional separation as the Father, who is "of purer eyes than to behold evil" ([Habakkuk 1:13](/habakkuk/1-13 "Habakkuk 1:13 - God's Purity")), turned away from the Son who had become sin itself for humanity. This vicarious suffering is the heart of the atonement, where the sinless Son endured the penalty of spiritual death and alienation that humanity deserved, thereby reconciling us to God. It underscores the gravity of sin, which demands such a divine sacrifice, and simultaneously magnifies the boundless love of God who would allow His Son to endure such agony for our salvation.

* [Psalm 22:1](/psalm/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - The Messianic Cry of Suffering")
* [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")
* [Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4-6 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - The Suffering Servant Bears Our Sins")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 15:34 offers profound insights for believers today, inviting us to contemplate the immense cost of our redemption and the depth of God's love. Jesus' cry of abandonment, though unique to His role as sin-bearer, resonates with the deepest human experiences of loneliness, despair, and feeling forsaken. It assures us that in our darkest moments, Christ understands our pain, having plumbed the depths of isolation. This verse powerfully reminds us of the gravity of sin and its true consequence: separation from a holy God. Yet, it also provides the ultimate assurance: because Jesus was forsaken, we who believe in Him will never be. His cry of alienation is our cry of adoption, guaranteeing our eternal fellowship with God. It calls us to a deeper appreciation for our salvation, motivating us to live lives worthy of such a sacrifice, marked by gratitude, humility, and a fervent desire to share this profound truth with others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' cry on the cross deepen your understanding of the holiness of God and the gravity of sin?**
* **In what ways does Christ's experience of feeling forsaken offer comfort or hope to you in your own moments of despair or loneliness?**
* **Considering the immense cost of your salvation, how might this verse inspire you to live a life of greater devotion and gratitude to God?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus cry out in Aramaic instead of Hebrew or Greek?**

Answer: Jesus likely cried out in Aramaic because it was the common, everyday language spoken by Jews in Judea and Galilee during the first century. While Hebrew was the language of the Scriptures and Greek was widely used for commerce and administration, Aramaic would have been Jesus' native tongue and the language most familiar to the crowds present. Mark, writing for a largely Gentile audience, immediately provides the Greek interpretation of Jesus' words, demonstrating his commitment to making the profound meaning accessible to his readers. The use of Aramaic adds a raw, authentic, and immediate quality to Jesus' agonizing cry, emphasizing the deep human experience of His suffering while simultaneously fulfilling the ancient prophecy of [Psalm 22:1](/psalm/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - The Prophetic Cry").

**Did God truly abandon Jesus on the cross?**

Answer: This is one of the most profound and challenging theological questions arising from this verse. Theologically, the cry "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" signifies a unique and temporary spiritual separation, not a relational break in the eternal Trinity. As Jesus, the sinless Son, bore the full weight of humanity's sin, He became "sin for us" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). In that moment, the holy Father, who cannot look upon sin ([Habakkuk 1:13](/habakkuk/1-13 "Habakkuk 1:13 - God's Purity")), turned away from the Son as He experienced the full outpouring of divine wrath against sin. This was a functional abandonment, a necessary act for atonement, where Jesus endured the spiritual death and alienation from God that humanity deserved. It was a profound, agonizing experience for Jesus, but it was not a cessation of the Father-Son relationship in essence. Instead, it was the ultimate act of substitutionary atonement, ensuring that those who believe in Him will never experience such divine abandonment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 15:34, with its raw cry of abandonment, stands as the poignant epicenter of Christ's redemptive work. In this moment, Jesus, the eternal Son of God, fully entered into the ultimate consequence of sin: separation from God. He was not merely suffering physically; He was enduring the spiritual alienation and divine wrath that humanity deserved. This cry, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?", reveals the unfathomable depth of His love and obedience, as He became sin for us ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")) so that we might become the righteousness of God. His experience of being forsaken ensures that those who trust in Him will never be abandoned by God; indeed, we are adopted as sons and daughters ([Galatians 4:4-7](/galatians/4-4-7 "Galatians 4:4-7 - Adoption as Sons")). The very abandonment Jesus experienced on the cross is the guarantee of our eternal security, for He took our place, bearing the curse of the law ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")) so that we might receive the blessing. His cry of ultimate desolation foreshadows His ultimate triumph, as the One who descended into the depths of human suffering and divine judgment now reigns in glory, offering reconciliation and eternal life to all who believe ([Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19-20 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Reconciliation Through Christ's Blood")). He, who knew no sin, became sin for us, demonstrating His profound empathy for our human condition ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus Understands Our Weaknesses")) and securing our eternal fellowship with the Father, ensuring that we will never be snatched from His hand ([John 10:28-29](/john/10-28-29 "John 10:28-29 - Eternal Security in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 22:1

¶ To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? [why art thou so] far from helping me, [and from] the words of my roaring?

Matthew 27:46

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Hebrews 5:7

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Psalms 27:9

Hide not thy face [far] from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

Psalms 71:11

Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for [there is] none to deliver [him].

Isaiah 41:17

[When] the poor and needy seek water, and [there is] none, [and] their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

Psalms 42:9

I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?