my god my god why have you forsaken me Jesus' Cry: Why Have You Forsaken Me?

The words "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" stand out as one of the most striking moments from the crucifixion. In this cry, Jesus quotes Psalm 22, a scripture filled with both anguish and hope. Was this an expression of abandonment or a fulfillment of prophecy? While some see it as a sign of separation from the Father, others recognize it as a profound declaration of trust amid suffering. These words carry deep emotional and theological weight, offering insight into the purpose of Christ's sacrifice and God’s ultimate plan of redemption.

The Context of Jesus’ Cry on the Cross

When Jesus cried out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34), it was not only a moment of profound emotional and physical anguish but also a reference deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. To fully understand the meaning of this statement, we must consider both the suffering Jesus endured during His crucifixion and the significance of Psalm 22 in Jewish culture.

Jesus’ Physical and Emotional Agony on the Cross

Crucifixion was designed to be one of the most excruciating forms of torture and death, intended to inflict maximum pain while humiliating the victim. Originating with ancient civilizations like the Assyrians and Babylonians, it was perfected by the Romans as a method of both punishment and public deterrence. Victims would be beaten with whips designed to tear flesh before being forced to carry the heavy wooden crossbeam to their place of execution. Once at the site, they were either tied or nailed to the wooden cross and left hanging for hours—or even days—in a slow, agonizing death caused by asphyxiation, blood loss, and sheer exhaustion.

Jesus endured all of this. After being scourged, mocked, and forced to carry His cross, He was nailed to it and lifted up for all to see. Beyond the physical torture, He endured deep emotional pain. He faced ridicule from those who walked by, suggesting He had failed in His mission (Matthew 27:39-44). This compounded His suffering as He bore the weight of humanity’s sin on His shoulders.

Historical evidence supports the sheer brutality of crucifixion. This analysis of Roman crucifixion methods highlights how it served not just as a punishment but as a form of state-sponsored terror. Jesus’ suffering was not just physical; it involved the emotional and spiritual torment of being mocked and seemingly abandoned during His darkest hour.

The Use of Psalm 22 in Jewish Tradition

When Jesus cried out the opening verse of Psalm 22, He engaged in a common Jewish practice of reciting Scripture to express deep personal emotions and profound truths. This psalm begins with anguish—“My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?”—but as it progresses, it transitions into faith and an unwavering declaration of God’s ultimate victory.

In Jewish tradition, quoting a single line of a psalm was often shorthand for referencing the entirety of that passage. By invoking Psalm 22, Jesus was not merely expressing despair; He was pointing His followers to a prophetic text that vividly describes a suffering servant who endures rejection, piercing, and humiliation yet ultimately trusts in God’s deliverance. For example, Psalm 22:16 foretells, “They pierced my hands and my feet,” and Psalm 22:18 describes casting lots for clothing—echoing the events occurring at the crucifixion.

As Dr. Brant Pitre points out, the psalm ends with hope and confidence in God’s saving power, resonating with a belief that suffering would lead to glory. Explore more about Psalm 22’s relevance in the context of this cry. For those witnessing Jesus’ crucifixion, His statement likely served as both a lament and a declaration that God’s plan was unfolding.

Thus, while His cry sounded like abandonment, it reflected something far greater. It was a profound theological moment where Jesus articulated His deep communion with God, even amidst unimaginable suffering, pointing back to Scripture that prophesied His mission.

Was Jesus Truly Forsaken by God?

When Jesus cried out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34), it was a moment that invites both theological reflection and heartfelt questions. Was Jesus truly abandoned on the cross, or was He quoting Psalm 22 to redirect people toward its prophetic meaning? Understanding this requires exploring two key theological perspectives: the relationship between sin and separation from God, and God’s omnipresence within the context of the Trinity.

Sin and Separation from God

The idea of Jesus bearing the sins of the world is central to Christian theology. As 2 Corinthians 5:21 states, "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." This verse highlights a profound truth: Jesus took on the punishment for humanity's sins. Sin, by its very nature, leads to separation from God because God is holy and cannot coexist with sin.

On the cross, Jesus bore the full weight of this separation—not for His own sins (as He was sinless) but for ours. This is why His cry of abandonment feels so real. It signifies the immense burden of taking on the sins of the world. In that moment, Jesus experienced what humans deserve: the spiritual alienation that sin creates. Some theologians have described this as Jesus fully identifying with humanity's brokenness to achieve reconciliation between God and mankind.

This sense of separation is not unique to Jesus' sacrifice but echoes throughout human experience. We often feel far from God during times of guilt or suffering. Does this mean God truly turns away? Maybe not. It could be more about the immense spiritual weight Jesus was bearing rather than an actual rupture in His relationship with the Father. As this resource on “Why Did Jesus Cry Out?” explains, the cry encapsulates both the reality of sin’s effects and the fulfillment of God’s plan for redemption.

God’s Omnipresence and Unbroken Relationship with Jesus

Critics of the "abandonment" theory argue that God never truly abandoned Jesus because God is omnipresent and always at work, even in suffering. From a Trinitarian perspective, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are eternally unified. Can one person of the Trinity truly be separated from the others? This seems unlikely, as it would contradict the eternal nature of their oneness.

Instead, Jesus' cry could signify something deeper—a profound expression of human emotion rooted in His fully human nature. If we consider His quotation of Psalm 22, it’s clear that this cry isn’t just despair but also a reference to hope. Psalm 22 transitions from a plea of abandonment to a declaration of God’s ultimate rescue and victory. This matches Jesus’ intimate connection with the Father as evidenced throughout His ministry.

Furthermore, God was actively working during the crucifixion, bringing about salvation through Christ’s suffering. This article highlights that God’s plans often involve moments of what seems like defeat but ultimately lead to triumph. Jesus’ death was a necessary step toward the resurrection, which confirmed God’s power and presence even in moments of perceived abandonment.

Therefore, while Jesus felt the weight of separation caused by sin, it’s crucial to see this through the lens of the Trinity and God’s ultimate plan. For readers today, this moment reminds us that even when we feel alone in suffering, God is present, working to bring life and redemption out of pain.

Psalm 22: A Prophetic Declaration

Psalm 22 holds a unique place in the Bible as a psalm that seamlessly intertwines human suffering with divine deliverance. Quoted by Jesus during His crucifixion, this chapter provides a striking alignment with the events of that day. It begins with a cry of despair but ends in triumph, showcasing a journey mirroring the purpose and victory of Christ’s mission. By understanding the parallels and ultimate message of Psalm 22, we gain deeper insight into Jesus’ words on the cross.

Key Parallels Between Psalm 22 and the Crucifixion

The connections between Psalm 22 and the events of the crucifixion are too consistent to overlook. Written hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth, this psalm prophetically describes specific moments that unfolded on Calvary. Here are some of the most notable parallels:

• Mocking by Onlookers: Psalm 22:7-8 says, “All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: ‘He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue him.’” During Jesus' crucifixion, the crowd mocked Him in almost identical terms, as recorded in Matthew 27:41-43. This fulfillment highlights the ridicule and rejection Jesus endured.

• Piercing of Hands and Feet: The declaration in Psalm 22:16, “They have pierced my hands and my feet,” vividly foretells the method of crucifixion—an execution technique that was not even practiced when this psalm was written. The imagery is astonishingly specific to the act of nailing someone to a cross.

• Dividing of Garments: Psalm 22:18 states, “They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.” In fulfillment, the Roman soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ clothing at the foot of the cross (John 19:24), as if unwittingly ticking off yet another prophetic box.

• Physical Agony: Psalm 22:14-15 describes an intense physical pain: “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me.” This imagery portrays the excruciating torment Jesus faced, emphasizing the deep physical toll of crucifixion.

The consistency of these details demonstrates the psalm’s prophetic nature. For more on how Psalm 22 aligns with the crucifixion, this resource offers additional insight.

The Outcome of Psalm 22 as a Message of Victory

While Psalm 22 begins with raw pain and a sense of abandonment, it doesn’t stay there. By its end, this psalm undergoes a complete transformation, shifting its tone from lament to praise. This arc of suffering leading to triumph parallels Christ’s own journey on the cross.

• From Despair to Trust: In the first half of the psalm, the speaker cries out to God, expressing feelings of isolation and desperation. However, by verse 22, the tone changes to one of trust: “I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly, I will praise you.” This shift illustrates a journey from questioning to confidence in God’s deliverance.

• Victory Through Suffering: The latter part of the psalm proclaims God’s reign and the impact of His deliverance on future generations. Psalm 22:27-28 says, “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord… For dominion belongs to the Lord.” This points to a much larger picture beyond immediate suffering—much like how Jesus’ death led to worldwide salvation and the establishment of God’s kingdom.

• Global Impact of Deliverance: The psalm ends with a call to all nations: “Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord” (Psalm 22:30). This prophetic vision of victory mirrors the gospel's message, which spans across cultures and centuries.

Psalm 22 isn’t merely a cry of despair; it’s a testament of unwavering faith and the hope of deliverance. Jesus invoking its opening verse wasn’t about conceding defeat—it was a declaration that even in the midst of His suffering, God’s plan for ultimate victory was unfolding. For a deeper exploration of this, see Psalm 22’s message of suffering and glory.

In essence, Psalm 22 not only foresees the crucifixion in stunning detail but also carries a message of hope, trust, and victory. This duality—the agony of human suffering juxtaposed with the certainty of divine redemption—is central to understanding why Jesus quoted this psalm at His most vulnerable moment.

Why Did Jesus Quote Psalm 22 Specifically?

When Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” on the cross (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34), He wasn’t just voicing despair. By quoting the opening line of Psalm 22, He connected His suffering to a larger divine narrative. This reference was deliberate, powerful, and deeply symbolic, reflecting both prophecy and trust in God’s ultimate plan. Let’s break this down further.

A Call to Recognize Fulfilled Prophecy

Jesus’ quotation of Psalm 22 wasn’t incidental. For those steeped in Jewish scriptures, His words would immediately recall the prophetic imagery in this psalm. Psalm 22 is often recognized as a Messianic psalm because it vividly anticipates events closely mirrored in Jesus’ crucifixion.

This psalm, written by David centuries earlier, describes experiences that align strikingly with what happened at Calvary. For instance:

• Mocking and scorn: Psalm 22:7-8 describes being mocked and told, “He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue Him.” These exact words were echoed by the onlookers at Jesus’ crucifixion (Matthew 27:41-43).

• Pierced hands and feet: Psalm 22:16 uncannily prophesies, "They pierced my hands and my feet," foretelling the nature of crucifixion—a practice not yet invented in David's time.

• Casting lots for garments: Psalm 22:18 describes dividing clothes and casting lots, directly fulfilled by Roman soldiers at the foot of Jesus’ cross (John 19:23-24).

By quoting the opening line of this psalm, Jesus directed His audience to see these connections. It was as though He was saying, “Look—what’s happening now has been foretold.” As this article explains, the accuracy of Psalm 22 in reflecting the events of the crucifixion is a faith-building testament to God’s sovereignty and plan for redemption.

For Jewish believers familiar with these scriptures, Jesus’ cry wasn’t just a lament—it was a clear, purposeful sign that He was the promised Messiah. This wasn’t a random quote or a moment of despair without context. It was evidence that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the suffering servant, reaffirming that God’s redemptive plan was unfolding exactly as foretold.

A Declaration of Identification and Trust

While Jesus’ cry may sound like abandonment, it represents something far deeper—an ultimate act of identification with human suffering. Psalm 22 opens with a raw, emotional plea: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” These words express the profound depth of human despair. In quoting this, Jesus showed that He fully embraced the human condition, including feelings of isolation, anguish, and despair. Yet, His use of scripture goes beyond lament—it reveals a path forward.

In Jewish tradition, citing the first line of a psalm often implies invocation of the entire psalm. Although Psalm 22 begins with a sense of abandonment, it transitions into a triumphant affirmation of God’s faithfulness and deliverance. By quoting the opening verse, Jesus may have been reminding His followers of this eventual victory.

• Human suffering shared by Christ: On the cross, Jesus embodied the weight of humanity’s suffering and sin. His experience reflects the pain and separation we often feel in times of trial. Yet, as the psalm shows, God does not leave His people there. It mirrors Jesus’ trust despite His agony, a trust that points to resurrection and redemption.

• Triumph beyond the cross: The latter half of Psalm 22 proclaims hope: “I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you” (Psalm 22:22). Jesus’ cry was not one of defeat but rather an expression of trust in the ultimate triumph of God’s plan. As highlighted in this resource, even in His darkest moment, Jesus displayed a profound trust in God’s ability to redeem and glorify.

Through this powerful declaration, Jesus affirmed that God’s presence remains constant—even in suffering. His choice of Psalm 22 is deeply encouraging, reminding believers that God’s plans are redemptive even amidst moments of seeming abandonment. Jesus’ cry invites His followers to move beyond anguish to see the promise of deliverance, both for Himself and for all humanity.

Conclusion

Jesus’ cry, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” was far more than an expression of personal despair. It carried profound theological meaning and pointed to the fulfillment of prophecy. By quoting Psalm 22, Jesus connected His own suffering to a larger narrative—one that begins in anguish but ultimately ends in hope and victory.

This moment on the cross reflects both the enormity of sin’s weight and the unbroken trust Jesus maintained in God’s plan. It encapsulates the paradox of the crucifixion: pain giving way to redemption, and apparent abandonment revealing the depth of divine love. For believers, this cry serves as a reminder that even in the darkest hours, God’s purposes remain, leading to deliverance and restoration.

Jesus’ words continue to challenge and inspire, offering a message of hope rooted in the promise of fulfillment beyond suffering. How do they shape your understanding of trust in God, even when His presence feels distant?