Matthew 27:46 Commentary

Matthew 27:46 presents one of the most profound and heart-wrenching moments in all of Scripture: "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?" This single verse encapsulates a depth of theological meaning relating to Christ's sacrifice, the atonement, and the very nature of God's redemptive plan. It is a piercing cry from the Son of God, not of doubt, but of immense suffering and identification with the sin of humanity. We behold here the Lamb of God, bearing the full weight of divine wrath on the cross. This cry, uttered at the ninth hour, marks a pivotal moment in the crucifixion, revealing the spiritual agony far exceeding the physical pain. It compels us to ponder the infinite love that would lead the Son to such a state for the salvation of His elect.

The statement "about the ninth hour" places this event at approximately 3:00 PM, marking six hours after Jesus was nailed to the cross. Roman crucifixions were agonizing, protracted affairs, often lasting days. However, the darkness that had covered the land from the sixth hour to the ninth hour (Matthew 27:45) signifies a supernatural intervention, a period of God's judgment upon the earth and upon His Son. This darkness was not merely an eclipse but a divine, apocalyptic foreshadowing of the spiritual darkness Jesus endured as He became sin for us. The "loud voice" emphasizes the intensity of His distress and the physical strength He still possessed to utter such a potent lament. To be forsaken, especially by God, was an ultimate curse in Jewish thought, and Jesus' appropriation of Psalm 22:1 was deeply significant to those who heard it, recalling the prophecies of the suffering Messiah.

The words "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" are Aramaic, a common language spoken in Judea during Jesus' time, and are directly transliterated from the original Greek text of Matthew. The phrase translates precisely as "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" This is a direct quotation from Psalm 22:1, a deeply Messianic psalm. By uttering these words, Jesus not only expressed His profound anguish but also signaled to those present, particularly any learned Jews, that He was fulfilling prophecy. The use of "Eli" (my God) rather than "Abba" (Father) is also crucial. It indicates a temporary, yet real, breach in the fellowship of the Trinity on the cross, as the Father turned away from the Son who was bearing the world's sin. This forsaking was necessary for the atonement, for only a truly forsaken Christ could bridge the chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity.

The cry "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" reveals the very heart of the atonement. Here, on the cross, Jesus was not merely a martyr, but the federal head of a new humanity, bearing the righteous wrath of God against all sin. The Father's turning away from the Son was not a sign of abandonment in identity, but a necessary separation in function as Christ took on the full penalty for sin. This was the ultimate substitutionary sacrifice. Jesus was forsaken so that believers would never be forsaken. The sin of the world was placed upon Him, and in that moment, He experienced the spiritual death that all humanity justly deserved. This cry affirms His full humanity, experiencing profound suffering, while simultaneously confirming His divine mission to reconcile man to God. It highlights the incomprehensible cost of our salvation, reminding us of the infinite value of His shed blood.

For the believer today, Matthew 27:46 offers profound comfort and assurance. When we feel overwhelmed by sin, doubt, or the trials of life, we remember that Christ Himself felt utterly forsaken, that we might never have to. His cry from the cross reminds us of the depth of God's love and the completeness of His atonement. We are perpetually reminded that our salvation was not cheap; it cost the Son of God everything. This ought to inspire deeper worship, unwavering faith, and a commitment to obedient living. We can approach God with confidence, knowing that in Christ, we are never truly forsaken. The cross, with its agonizing cry, becomes our beacon of hope, showing us the path to resurrection life and eternal fellowship with our Creator. Let this verse drive us to greater gratitude and a fervent desire to share this glorious truth with a lost world.