What is the significance of Jesus quoting Psalm 22 in Matthew 27:46? Text Of The Cry 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?’” This cites verbatim Psalm 22:1 . Language And Translation Jesus speaks in Aramaic yet preserves the Hebrew divine title “Eli.” Matthew translates for his readers, anchoring the quotation unmistakably to Psalm 22. The earliest extant Greek manuscripts—𝔓⁴⁵ (3rd c.), 𝔓⁶⁷ (late 2nd c.), Codex Vaticanus (B), and Codex Sinaiticus (א)—all carry the same wording, underscoring textual stability. Immediate Context On The Cross The ninth hour (≈3 p.m.) marks the time of the afternoon Tamid sacrifice in the Temple (Exodus 29:38-41). Jesus, the true Lamb (John 1:29), is simultaneously offering Himself. His loud cry fulfills the sacrificial pattern and alerts bystanders to Psalm 22. Psalm 22 As Messianic Prophecy Composed by David c. 1000 B.C., Psalm 22 appears in Dead Sea Scroll 4QPsᵃ from the 1st c. B.C., predating Jesus by over a century. Key lines precisely anticipate crucifixion centuries before the Romans employed it: • “They pierce my hands and my feet” (Psalm 22:16, LXX / DSS reading). • “They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing” (Psalm 22:18). • “All who see me mock me; they shake their heads” (Psalm 22:7). Matthew records each of these (27:35, 27:39, 27:43), documenting seamless fulfillment. Theological Meaning Of “Forsaken” 1. Substitutionary Atonement: Isaiah 53:4-6 foretells the Servant bearing sin. On the cross the Father “made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21). The sense of abandonment signals the judicial bearing of wrath in the sinner’s place. 2. Covenant Faithfulness: By citing the opening line, Jesus invokes the entire psalm, which ends in victory—“He has done it” (Psalm 22:31)—foreshadowing “It is finished” (John 19:30). 3. Trinitarian Harmony: The outcry is relational discourse within the Godhead, not ontological division. The Father is “pleased to crush Him” (Isaiah 53:10), yet “was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19). Literary Device: Inclusio Ancient Jews memorized Scripture orally; naming the first verse recalled the full passage. Thus the lament (v.1) and triumph (vv.22-31) bookend the passion-resurrection narrative. Psychological And Pastoral Dimension Jesus experiences genuine human anguish (Hebrews 4:15). Believers facing desolation may echo His prayer, assured that forsakenness is temporary and consummates in deliverance (Psalm 22:24). Relation To The Resurrection Psalm 22 moves from deathlike distress to public praise “in the great assembly” (v.25) and worldwide conversion (v.27). The resurrection vindicates Christ’s trust, proving the “forsaken” was momentary and achieving universal mission (Matthew 28:18-20). Harmonization With Other Sayings Luke emphasizes forgiveness (23:34) and commitment (23:46); John records victory (19:30). Combined, the sayings reveal: 1) substitution, 2) relational fidelity, 3) completed redemption. Eschatological Undertones Verse 27 envisions “all the ends of the earth” returning to Yahweh, anticipating Revelation 7:9 where every nation worships the Lamb—grounded in the cross-resurrection event inaugurated by Psalm 22’s citation. Concluding Significance Jesus’ quotation: • Authenticates Him as the prophesied Messiah. • Discloses the depth of atoning suffering. • Invites hearers to view the entire psalm, ending in triumph. • Furnishes a pastoral model for believers in distress. • Supplies powerful prophetic-historical evidence for the credibility of Scripture and the resurrection. |
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