Matthew 27:46

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} about {G4012} the ninth {G1766} hour {G5610} Jesus {G2424} cried {G310} with a loud {G3173} voice {G5456}, saying {G3004}, Eli {G2241}, Eli {G2241}, lama {G2982} sabachthani {G4518}? that {G5123} is to say, My {G3450} God {G2316}, my {G3450} God {G2316}, why {G2444} hast thou forsaken {G1459} me {G3165}?

Complete Jewish Bible

At about three, Yeshua uttered a loud cry, "Eli! Eli! L'mah sh'vaktani? (My God! My God! Why have you deserted me?)"

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 27:46 records the most agonizing cry of Jesus from the cross, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" This profound declaration, uttered at the climax of His suffering, encapsulates the theological essence of His atoning work, revealing the unparalleled spiritual anguish He endured as He bore the full weight of humanity's sin and experienced a unique, temporary separation from the Father's fellowship. It is a moment that underscores both the depth of Christ's humanity and the immeasurable cost of redemption.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal cry occurs "about the ninth hour" (approximately 3 PM), marking the culmination of six hours Jesus had endured on the cross. Immediately preceding this moment, a supernatural darkness had enveloped the entire land from the sixth hour (noon) until the ninth hour ([Matthew 27:45](/matthew/27-45 "Matthew 27:45 - The Darkness Over the Land")). This preternatural gloom, a common biblical motif for divine judgment, sets the stage for Jesus' cry, indicating a profound spiritual transaction occurring as He became sin for humanity. The surrounding narrative highlights the relentless mockery from passersby, chief priests, scribes, and elders, further emphasizing Jesus' isolation and physical torment, making His spiritual agony even more acute. His final words here contrast sharply with His earlier prayer for forgiveness for His executioners ([Luke 23:34](/luke/23-34 "Luke 23:34 - Jesus' Prayer for His Persecutors")), underscoring the unique nature of this particular suffering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The crucifixion was a brutal Roman method of execution designed for maximum public humiliation and prolonged suffering. The "ninth hour" (3 PM) held significant meaning in Jewish culture, being the time of the evening sacrifice at the Temple and a traditional hour for prayer. Jesus' cry, therefore, would have been heard by many, including the Jewish leaders and Roman soldiers present. The language Jesus used, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani," is a transliteration of Aramaic (with "Eli" being Hebrew), the common language spoken in Judea during the first century. This choice of language suggests an authentic, spontaneous cry from His deepest being, not a formal theological statement. The direct quotation of [Psalm 22:1](/psalms/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - The Prophetic Cry of Abandonment") would have resonated with any Jew familiar with the Scriptures, immediately connecting His suffering to ancient prophecy.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 27:46 is a profound theological statement, contributing significantly to several key themes in the Gospels and broader biblical narrative. The most prominent theme is the **Divine Abandonment for Sin's Sake**, where Jesus, though eternally one with the Father, experienced a unique, temporary relational separation as He bore the full wrath of God against human sin. This is the heart of the **Atonement**, where the sinless Son became the ultimate sin offering ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), enduring the spiritual death that sin justly demands. Furthermore, it powerfully illustrates the **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, as Jesus' words directly echo [Psalm 22](/psalms/22 "Psalm 22 - A Prophetic Psalm of Suffering and Vindication"), a messianic psalm that vividly describes the suffering of the righteous one. This intentional quotation underscores the divine plan behind His suffering and death. Lastly, the cry highlights the **Genuine Humanity of Christ**, demonstrating that He truly experienced the pain, isolation, and spiritual desolation that comes from being forsaken, affirming His full identification with human suffering while maintaining His divinity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cried (Greek, _anaboáō'_):** This verb, G310, means "to halloo," or "to cry aloud, out." It signifies a loud, forceful, and public utterance, not a whisper or a quiet lament. Jesus' cry was not a private thought but a powerful declaration, audible to those around Him, emphasizing the intensity and public nature of His spiritual agony.
* **Eli (Hebrew/Aramaic, _ēlí'_):** G2241 is a transliteration of the Hebrew "My God" (אֵל with pronominal suffix). The repetition "Eli, Eli" (My God, My God) is a passionate, emphatic address, conveying deep anguish and a direct appeal to the Father, even in the midst of perceived abandonment. It underscores the personal and relational nature of His cry.
* **forsaken (Greek, _enkataleípō'_):** G1459, derived from _en_ (in) and _kataleípō_ (to leave behind), means "to leave behind in some place," which can imply either letting something remain or, in a negative sense, to desert. In this context, it carries the strong negative connotation of being "deserted" or "abandoned." This word is crucial for understanding the spiritual reality of the cross: Jesus was not merely physically abandoned by His disciples, but He experienced a profound, unique, and temporary spiritual desertion by the Father as He bore the sin of the world.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And about the ninth hour":** This temporal marker signifies the climax of Jesus' six hours on the cross, a period that began at the third hour (9 AM) and included three hours of supernatural darkness from noon until this moment. The "ninth hour" (3 PM) was a significant time for prayer and sacrifice in Jewish tradition, making Jesus' cry at this specific hour deeply symbolic of the ultimate sacrifice.
* **"Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying,":** This indicates the intensity and public nature of Jesus' utterance. His cry was not a weak gasp but a powerful, audible declaration, demonstrating His physical strength even in His dying moments, and ensuring that His words were heard and remembered. It was a deliberate, conscious expression of His suffering.
* **"‹Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?›":** These are the transliterated Aramaic (with Hebrew "Eli") words spoken by Jesus. This direct quotation from [Psalm 22:1](/psalms/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - The Prophetic Cry of Abandonment") immediately connects Jesus' suffering to Old Testament prophecy, signaling that His agony was not random but part of God's sovereign plan of redemption. The Aramaic phrasing suggests the raw, unmediated nature of His anguish.
* **"that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?":** This is Matthew's translation of Jesus' Aramaic words for his Greek-speaking audience. It clarifies the profound meaning of the cry: a question not of doubt in God's existence or power, but of deep relational agony. It expresses the unique experience of the sinless Son bearing the full weight of humanity's sin, resulting in a temporary, yet real, breach in the fellowship He had eternally shared with the Father.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 27:46 is rich in **Literary Devices** that amplify its profound theological and emotional impact. The most prominent is **Quotation/Allusion**, as Jesus directly quotes [Psalm 22:1](/psalms/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - The Prophetic Cry of Abandonment"). This not only fulfills prophecy but also invites the audience to consider the entire psalm, which moves from deep suffering to ultimate vindication, subtly foreshadowing Jesus' resurrection. The **Symbolism** of the preceding darkness ([Matthew 27:45](/matthew/27-45 "Matthew 27:45 - The Darkness Over the Land")) sets a somber, supernatural tone, signifying God's judgment on sin and the cosmic significance of Jesus' suffering. There is a profound **Irony** in the Son of God, who is eternally one with the Father, experiencing a sense of abandonment. This paradox highlights the depth of His identification with sinful humanity. The verse also employs **Pathos**, evoking deep sympathy and sorrow in the reader for Jesus' intense spiritual and emotional agony, drawing attention to the immense cost of redemption.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 27:46 stands as a theological cornerstone, revealing the profound mystery of the atonement. It signifies that on the cross, Jesus was not merely a martyr, but the divine substitute who absorbed the full wrath of God against human sin. 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, in that moment, was identified with all the sin of humanity. This was not a rupture of the Trinitarian unity, but a unique, temporary break in fellowship—a spiritual death—that Jesus endured so that humanity might never experience eternal separation from God. His cry of forsakenness is the ultimate expression of God's justice met with God's love, where the innocent bore the penalty for the guilty.

* [Psalm 22:1](/psalms/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - The Prophetic Cry of Abandonment")
* [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")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jesus' cry from the cross in Matthew 27:46 offers profound comfort and challenge to believers today. It assures us that Jesus fully comprehends the deepest human suffering, including feelings of abandonment, isolation, and spiritual darkness. When we feel utterly alone, misunderstood, or even forsaken by God, we can remember that our Savior has walked that path to its most agonizing extreme. His cry validates our own experiences of profound pain and reminds us that He is truly an empathetic High Priest ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")). More importantly, this verse reveals the terrifying consequence of sin and the immeasurable, sacrificial love of God. Because Jesus was forsaken on the cross, bearing the full wrath of God for our transgressions, believers can have the unwavering confidence that they will never be truly forsaken by God ([Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - God Will Never Leave or Forsake Us")). His cry secures our eternal reconciliation and communion with the Father, transforming our potential for eternal separation into an unbreakable bond of grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' cry of abandonment deepen your understanding of His sacrifice and the nature of God's love?**
* **In what ways does this verse offer comfort and hope to those experiencing feelings of isolation, spiritual darkness, or profound suffering?**
* **What does Matthew 27:46 reveal about the gravity of sin and the immense cost of our redemption?**

### FAQ
**Was Jesus truly forsaken by God, implying a break in the Trinity?**

Answer: No, the cry "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" does not imply a rupture in the essential unity or nature of the Trinity. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit remain eternally one God. However, what occurred was a unique and profound relational separation, a turning away of the Father's fellowship from the Son. As Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, became identified with the totality of human sin ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), He bore the full wrath and judgment of God against that sin. God, being perfectly holy, cannot look upon sin ([Habakkuk 1:13](/habakkuk/1-13 "Habakkuk 1:13 - God's Purity")). Therefore, the Father, in His justice, withdrew the comfort of His presence and fellowship from the Son as Jesus experienced the spiritual death that sin demands. This was a temporary, yet real, experience of being "forsaken" in the context of bearing sin, ensuring that those who believe in Him would never be eternally forsaken.

**Why did Jesus quote Psalm 22:1 in Aramaic?**

Answer: Jesus' quotation of [Psalm 22:1](/psalms/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - The Prophetic Cry of Abandonment") serves multiple critical purposes. Firstly, it highlights the **fulfillment of prophecy**. Psalm 22 is a profoundly messianic psalm that describes in vivid detail the suffering of the righteous one, culminating in vindication. By quoting the opening verse, Jesus implicitly directs His listeners to the entire psalm, which foretells aspects of His crucifixion, including the piercing of His hands and feet ([Psalm 22:16](/psalms/22-16 "Psalm 22:16 - Pierced Hands and Feet")), the mocking, and the division of His garments ([Psalm 22:18](/psalms/22-18 "Psalm 22:18 - Dividing Garments")). Secondly, His use of Aramaic, the common language of the people, suggests the raw, authentic nature of His cry, making it immediately understandable to those present. It was not a theological lecture but an expression of profound, personal agony. Finally, it serves as a powerful declaration of His identity as the suffering Messiah, even in His deepest anguish, demonstrating His conscious awareness of His redemptive mission.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 27:46 is the ultimate expression of Christ's substitutionary atonement, revealing the profound depth of His love and the immeasurable cost of our redemption. In this moment, Jesus, the Son of God, fully identified with humanity's sin, becoming the curse for us ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). His cry of "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" signifies that He experienced the ultimate consequence of sin—separation from God—so that we, who are inherently sinful, might never have to. Because the Father did not spare His own Son ([Romans 8:32](/romans/8-32 "Romans 8:32 - God Did Not Spare His Own Son")) but delivered Him up for us all, we are assured that we will never be abandoned. Jesus' forsakenness on the cross ensures our eternal embrace by God, transforming our potential for eternal damnation into an unbreakable bond of grace and communion. His cry of desolation secured our everlasting reconciliation, guaranteeing that the promise, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" ([Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - God's Promise to Never Leave or Forsake Us")), applies to all who believe in Him. Through His ultimate sacrifice, Jesus conquered the power of sin and death, opening the way for us to have eternal life and uninterrupted fellowship with God, a fellowship that was broken by sin but perfectly restored by His suffering.

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?

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;

Isaiah 53:10

¶ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

Mark 15:34

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?

Psalms 71:11

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

John 19:28

After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

John 19:30

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.