How does Psalm 22 connect to Jesus' words in Matthew 27:47? Setting the scene Matthew records the final moments of Jesus’ earthly life. From the cross He cries, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” Bystanders mishear and think He is summoning Elijah (Matthew 27:46–47). Jesus is actually quoting the opening line of Psalm 22, drawing every Scripture-saturated listener to the entire psalm. Starting with Jesus’ exact words • 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?’” • 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 groaning?” Why the crowd thought He called Elijah • “Eli” sounds like the Hebrew short form for Elijah (Eliyahu). • Psalm 22 begins with the same cry but no mention of Elijah. • The misunderstanding highlights the crowd’s spiritual blindness; while Jesus is unveiling prophecy, they hear only a name that fits their expectations (Malachi 4:5). A chain of prophetic parallels Psalm 22 reads like an eyewitness account of crucifixion long before the Romans existed. Notice how many details line up with the Passion narratives: 1. Public scorn • Psalm 22:6–7: “I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men… All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads.” • Matthew 27:39: “Those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads.” 2. Taunts about trusting God • Psalm 22:8: “He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD deliver him.” • Matthew 27:43: “He trusts in God. Let God rescue Him now if He wants Him.” 3. Physical agony that matches crucifixion • Psalm 22:14–15: “I am poured out like water… my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.” • John 19:28: “Jesus, knowing that everything had now been accomplished, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, said, ‘I am thirsty.’” 4. Pierced hands and feet • Psalm 22:16: “They pierce my hands and my feet.” • John 20:25–27 confirms the nail marks. 5. Exposed bones yet unbroken • Psalm 22:17: “I can count all my bones.” • John 19:33: The soldiers did not break His legs. 6. Gambling for clothing • Psalm 22:18: “They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.” • John 19:23–24 records the soldiers casting lots. 7. Future worldwide praise • Psalm 22:27: “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD.” • Revelation 5:9 pictures every tribe and tongue worshiping the Lamb. From lament to triumph Psalm 22 does not end in despair. Midway through, the tone shifts: • Psalm 22:22: “I will proclaim Your name to my brothers; I will praise You in the assembly.” Quoted in Hebrews 2:12 to show Jesus leading the redeemed in worship. • Psalm 22:31: “They will come and proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unborn—for He has done it.” The Hebrew for “He has done it” carries the sense of completion, mirroring Jesus’ “It is finished” (John 19:30). Takeaway truths • By quoting Psalm 22:1 Jesus ties His suffering to a detailed, God-authored prophecy. • The crowd’s confusion about Elijah underscores their failure to see what Scripture plainly foretold. • Every stab of mockery, every physical torment, and even the soldiers’ dice were foretold—showing the cross was God’s plan, not a tragic accident. • Psalm 22 moves from abandonment to victory, assuring believers that God turns deepest suffering into global salvation. |
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