What Old Testament prophecy is fulfilled in Matthew 27:46, and why is it significant? Setting the Scene Matthew 27:46: “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?’ ” Prophecy Foretold: Psalm 22:1 Psalm 22:1: “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of anguish?” • Written by David roughly a thousand years before the cross • Introduces a psalm that moves from intense suffering to ultimate victory and praise Direct Fulfillment on the Cross • Jesus’ cry is a verbatim quotation of Psalm 22:1 in Aramaic and Hebrew transliteration • By speaking these words, He identifies Himself as the righteous sufferer David envisioned • The Gospel writers highlight this moment (cf. Mark 15:34) to anchor Jesus’ passion squarely in prophetic Scripture Layers of Significance 1. Messianic Confirmation ‑ Psalm 22 contains multiple details mirrored at Calvary: • Verses 7–8: mockery by onlookers (Matthew 27:39–43) • Verse 16: pierced hands and feet (John 20:25–27) • Verse 18: casting lots for garments (Matthew 27:35) ‑ The precise alignment validates Jesus as the promised Messiah foretold in the Old Testament 2. Sacrificial Atonement ‑ The sense of abandonment reflects the weight of sin He bore (Isaiah 53:4–6; 2 Corinthians 5:21) ‑ He experiences the forsakenness sinners deserve, opening the way for reconciliation with God (Romans 5:8–10) 3. Assurance of Ultimate Triumph ‑ Psalm 22 does not end in despair; verses 22–31 erupt in praise and worldwide proclamation ‑ Jesus’ quotation signals that suffering is not the final word—resurrection glory follows (Hebrews 2:12 referencing Psalm 22:22) 4. Encouragement for Believers ‑ Every cry of anguish can be brought to God honestly, knowing Christ has walked that path (Hebrews 4:15–16) ‑ The psalm’s arc from pain to praise models trust amid trials Key Takeaways • Matthew 27:46 fulfills Psalm 22:1, spotlighting Jesus as the prophetic, suffering Messiah • The moment underscores both the depth of His substitutionary suffering and the certainty of His victory • Because the prophecy is exact and multi-layered, believers gain renewed confidence in the reliability of Scripture and the sufficiency of Christ’s atoning work |
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