“Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” … “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34).
We will never be able to plumb the depth of these words while on this earth. Was this an expression of His physical and emotional suffering; or was He momentarily forsaken by His Father since He was dying as a sin offering for the world? (2 Corinthians 5:21; cf. Habakkuk 1:13).
These words were misunderstood by those who heard them. When Jesus said, “Eli, Eli, Lama sabachthani” some “who stood there, when they heard that, said, ‘This Man is calling for Elijah!’” (Matthew 27:46–47).
“Eli” is Hebrew, the language of Scripture, quoted here from Psalm 22:1. “Eloi” is Aramaic, the language of the people (Mark 15:34). Those standing by thought He was calling for Elijah.
Then, having spoken His last words, Jesus breathed His last” (Mark 15:37; Luke 23:46) or, “yielded up His spirit” (Matthew 27:50; John 19:30). “Yielded up His spirit” suggests that Jesus died voluntarily, in keeping with His prediction (John 10:17–18). These precious words prompt us to love and obey Him.
