“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?”– Matthew 27:46 (KJV)
“About three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ which means ‘My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?'”– Matthew 27:46 (NLT)
“At three o’clock, Jesus shouted out with a loud voice, ‘My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?'”– Matthew 27:46 (MSG)
What Does Matthew 27:46 Mean?
This verse is one of the most profound and haunting statements made by Jesus during his crucifixion. It speaks deeply to the emotional and spiritual agony He experienced at this moment. Jesus quoted Psalm 22:1, which begins with the same words, expressing a sense of abandonment and despair. However, this was not a moment of hopelessness, but rather a fulfillment of prophecy that was established long before His crucifixion. He identified with human suffering and the pain of feeling isolated. Thus, it reveals the depth of Jesus’ trials and the immense weight of the world’s sin that He bore on the cross.
Many of us might wonder why Jesus, who was both fully divine and fully human, would feel abandoned by God. This moment speaks to the reality of Jesus’ human experience. He took upon Himself our sins, and in doing so, He tasted death for every man (Hebrews 2:9). The separation He felt was not only a personal experience but something He endured for us. This verse reminds us that God cares about our feelings of abandonment. In times of trial, we can be sure that He understands our emotions, having endured them Himself.
Matthew 27:46 Explanation and Commentary
To get a deeper insight into Matthew 27:46, we need to look at its context. This moment came at the culmination of intense suffering. Jesus had endured severe physical abuse, being whipped and mocked, and now he hung on a cross. His cry of despair captures the painful struggle of humanity in suffering. For us, it acts as a mirror to our own feelings in our darkest hours. When Jesus cried out, He not only expressed His own feelings but also provided a voice for many who feel lost and alone.
When reflecting on this moment, we can glean that even in His darkest hour, Jesus was fulfilling God’s plan for salvation. It illustrates the immense love and sacrifice that He demonstrated on our behalf, taking the punishment we deserved. His final words on the cross highlight the immense spiritual battle he faced. Identifying with Psalm 22 serves to reaffirm that His cries were not just a reflection of personal abandonment, but part of a much larger picture. God’s plan of redemption was unfolding, despite appearances of hopelessness.
This moment is a reminder that crying out to God is okay even when we feel forsaken or distant. We can take comfort that Jesus empathized with our struggles. His experience teaches us that we are not alone in feeling abandoned or lost. His anguish makes His eventual resurrection even more powerful, revealing that there is hope beyond our current suffering.
Ultimately, Matthew 27:46 encapsulates the essence of Jesus’ sacrifice and the reality of human suffering. It presents an invitation to us: to bring our fears and feelings to God, acknowledging our struggles and seeking His comfort. No matter how far we wander or how lost we feel, we remain invited back into the embrace of God’s unending love.
Context of Matthew 27:46
In order to grasp the significance of Matthew 27:46, it’s crucial to understand the broader context surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion. This event occurs during Passover, a significant Jewish festival that commemorates God’s deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. The atmosphere was filled with tension, betrayal, and injustice as Jesus trialed before Pilate and ultimately was led to the cross. We see a juxtaposition of human cruelty and divine purpose.
The people surrounding the cross were mocking Jesus, challenging His identity as the Messiah. The rulers, the soldiers, and others present had rejected His claims, further deepening the severance between humanity and God. In this atmosphere, Jesus was crucified, representing total rejection and misery. This moment extends beyond personal suffering; it reflects humanity’s choice to turn away from God.
We can see how Jesus’ lament resonates throughout the Scriptures, especially in the Psalms where many writers express feelings of abandonment, loss, and pain. The direct reference to Psalm 22 positions Jesus not just in the context of His suffering but also as the fulfillment of prophecy, drawing lines connecting His pain with the struggles of many throughout the ages.
Additionally, focusing on the ninth hour, or three o’clock, adds a layer of spiritual significance. This was the time of daily sacrifice in the temple. While the lamb was being slaughtered in the temple for atonement, Jesus was sacrificing Himself as the ultimate lamb for all humanity. His cries serve as the apex of His journey to the cross—a journey filled with love and sacrifice.
As we engage with Matthew 27:46, it becomes a bridge connecting our pain to the divine narrative of redemption. It shows how our struggles and feelings of abandonment can lead us back to the heart of God, inviting us to explore our relationship with Him. The isolation Jesus felt on the cross, an emotional experience echoed throughout history, can remind us that we are never alone in our trials.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Matthew 27:46
Breaking this verse down helps us appreciate the weight of Jesus’ words. The first key aspect to consider is the direct address to God— “My God, my God.” This shows a deeply personal relationship He possessed with the Father. Even in His pain, Jesus maintained that connection, demonstrating that we can reach out to God even during our darkest times. It serves as a model for us today; we might question and express our feelings of abandonment, but we are still encouraged to call upon God.
Secondly, the use of “forsaken” indicates a real sense of separation. It wasn’t merely a feeling; it was an emotional experience that resonated deeply within Jesus as He took on the sins of the world. The abandonment He felt was real and acute, highlighting the severity of the moment. We should not shy away from feeling like God is distant during hardships, for Jesus experienced that very thing. This reality offers us comfort—if Jesus could cry out with such desperation, we too have the right to express our feelings and emotions to God.
Moreover, Jesus identifies with humanity on the cross, embracing the full weight of our struggles and pains. Hence, His words affirm that God is not distant, even when we feel forsaken. The cry illustrates a moment when our pain intersects with God’s grace. We must remember that just as Jesus experienced isolation, we too are assured that God walks with us, even in the silence.
Through this broken communication between Father and Son, we find hope in the resurrection that follows. The separation felt during that moment was not the final word. God’s unfolding story is one of love, restoration, and reconciliation. Jesus willingly endured the isolation we sometimes feel so that we may never truly be abandoned.
Lessons to Learn From Matthew 27:46
Reflection on Matthew 27:46 reveals essential lessons. One of the primary lessons we glean is the validation of our feelings. We often feel that we must hide our struggles or that our anger or sorrow is unacceptable in the eyes of God. Jesus strongly refutes that by openly expressing His feelings of abandonment. It’s acceptable to be candid with God. If we feel far away or alone, God invites us to bring those feelings to Him. Just as Jesus communicated His pain, we are encouraged to do the same.
Another lesson we find is the importance of hope in despair. Jesus’ cry did not signify the end but a movement toward a greater purpose. His pain led to our salvation. During our times of trial, it can be easy to lose hope, but we must remember that our current situation does not define our future. God often works in ways we cannot comprehend, turning our pain into purpose.
Additionally, we’ve learned that community during hardship can be vital. As Jesus hung on the cross, He was surrounded by individuals who, instead of providing comfort, mocked Him. This reminds us of the importance of surrounding ourselves with folks who uplift and support us in times of despair rather than pull us down. We thrive in a community that encourages vulnerability and honesty. Sharing our struggles can lighten our burdens.
Finally, we see that our anguish often emerges as the soil for faith to grow. Through Jesus’ cry, we can find a renewed closeness to God. Instead of shying away from our pain, we can turn toward it as an opportunity for growth. Our suffering can deepen our faith, shaping us into more resilient individuals willing to embrace gracefully experiences beyond our comprehension.
Final Thoughts
Matthew 27:46 is much more than a cry of despair; it is a reminder of Jesus’ immense sacrifice for our sake. His genuine expression of pain can guide us as we journey through our difficulties. We are never alone. Jesus, in His human experience, walked the path of suffering that many of us face today.
As we reflect on these profound words, let us encourage each other to bring our feelings and struggles to God. Each cry for help, each moment of sorrow, draws us closer to understanding the love God has for us. Our struggles do not define our faith; instead, they can become milestones of hope and resilience.
We encourage everyone to continue exploring the Scriptures and delve into topics such as Jesus’ teachings or the profound stories found in the dedicated books of faith such as Matthew 11 or even the foundational narratives in Genesis. Each passage offers wisdom and insight that can uplift and transform our lives. Let’s keep discovering together!