Topic(s): Bible authority, Bible study

Todd Clippard

The phrase uttered by Jesus from the cross is found in Psalm 22:1, which begins a vivid description of the crucifixion scene, particularly in the first twenty verses of the Psalm.

Jesus was perfect in every way. In him was "no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth" (1 Peter 2:22). Now, if Jesus made the statement that he was forsaken by God, then we must accept it as truth.

As Jesus hung on the cross, he bore in his body the sins of all mankind (Isaiah 53:6; John 1:29; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:2). When one thinks of all the sins committed by all men for all time, both past, present, and future, the magnitude of sin in the body of Jesus cannot be fathomed by the human mind. In Habakkuk 1:13, the prophet said of God, "Thou art of purer eyes than told behold evil, and cannot look upon iniquity." Therefore, Jesus' statement should be understood in this context.

There is no specific verse that notes or describes how God forsook Christ, it is generally believed that God turned his face as Jesus hung on the cross, creating the darkness that covered the land began at the 6th hour (noon) and continued until the 9th hour (3 p.m.). It was at the ninth hour Jesus made the statement under consideration (Mark 15:33-34). Just moments after making the statement, he gave up the ghost (Mark 15:37). It is believed the light returned following Jesus' death as there was no longer any reason for the Father to turn his face from his Son.