If Jesus is God, why did He say "My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?" on the cross (Matthew 27:46)?

1. Historical Context of the Crucifixion

Crucifixion as a mode of execution took place in public spaces in the Roman Empire, typically to deter criminal activity. According to the preserved accounts, Jesus endured a series of trials (Matthew 26:57–27:26; Mark 14:53–15:15; Luke 22:66–23:25; John 18:12–19:16) before being sentenced to death by crucifixion. Archaeological findings such as the discovered remains of a crucified victim named Yehohanan in Jerusalem lend historical weight to the fact that crucifixion was practiced in first-century Judea. Ancient historians, including Tacitus (Annals 15.44) and Josephus (Antiquities 18.3.3), mention Jesus and the reality of His execution, further confirming the Gospel narratives’ alignment with known historical customs.

2. The Scriptural Record of the Cry

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus’ words on the cross are recorded as follows:

“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?’” (Matthew 27:46).

This cry immediately draws on Psalm 22:1, where it states, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?”. The link between Jesus’ pronouncement and the psalm is widely noted in historical commentaries and further illuminated by the Dead Sea Scrolls’ preservation of many Psalms, which show remarkable continuity with the text that was quoted centuries later by Jesus.

3. Fulfillment of Messianic Prophecy

Psalm 22 is recognized for its detailed depiction of suffering that parallels the crucifixion events. Many details—such as accusations from onlookers (Psalm 22:7–8), physical agony (22:14–15), pierced hands and feet (22:16), and the casting of lots for garments (22:18)—find remarkable correspondence with the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion (Matthew 27:35, 39–44; Mark 15:24; John 19:23–24). These parallels reinforce the interpretation that Jesus’ quotation of Psalm 22:1 was more than an exclamation of distress. Instead, it functioned as a deliberate connection to a prophecy pointing to the identity and redemptive work of the Messiah.

4. Expressions of Genuine Suffering

The Gospels depict Jesus experiencing genuine human anguish. Among the most poignant statements is when He cried out with the words of Psalm 22 (Matthew 27:46). Yet these sufferings do not negate His divine nature. As John 1:1 proclaims, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” If Jesus is truly divine, then why this outcry?

Biblical teachings stress that Jesus possessed both a divine nature and a fully human nature (Philippians 2:6–8; Hebrews 2:14–17). During the crucifixion, He underwent real physical and emotional torment. This authentic suffering is essential to the core Christian doctrine that He took upon Himself the sins of humanity (1 Peter 2:24: “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree…”).

5. The Concept of Substitutionary Atonement

The cry “Why have You forsaken Me?” must be linked to the concept of Jesus as the substitute bearing the sins of humanity. Isaiah 53:5 declares: “He was pierced for our transgressions… the punishment that brought us peace was on Him.” The biblical narrative portrays a moment in which Jesus bore the full weight of sin (2 Corinthians 5:21) to secure redemption for those who believe. The deep pathos of this cry underscores the cost and gravity of human sin, rather than diminishing His divine nature.

6. The Unity of the Godhead

Scriptural affirmations of the eternal unity within the Godhead (John 10:30; John 17:21–22) remain compatible with Jesus’ expression of abandonment. The cry does not signal a permanent severance within the Trinity. Instead, it showcases the relational depth and mystery—perfect oneness sustained through a unique moment wherein Jesus, in His humanity, endures the penalty and separation that sin has wrought on humanity.

It is also worth noting that language in Scripture often accommodates human perspectives to convey spiritual truths. In the same way God sometimes “relents” from declaring judgment in the Old Testament (Exodus 32:14), Jesus’ calling out “My God, My God…” makes accessible for human understanding the intensity of suffering caused by bearing sin.

7. Linking the Beginning of Psalm 22 to Its Conclusion

The remainder of Psalm 22 culminates in hope and deliverance. While the opening words are of distress, Psalm 22 concludes with the psalmist declaring God’s victory and faithfulness: “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD” (Psalm 22:27). This trajectory from torment to triumph parallels the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. The cry is not the final word, because the resurrection vindicates Jesus’ mission (Matthew 28:5–6; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:5–6; John 20:5–7).

8. The Historicity of the Crucifixion and Resurrection

The burial and resurrection of Jesus hold a central place in scriptural texts (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). Multiple sources inside and outside the New Testament era point to the fact that Jesus was indeed crucified, as noted by Roman historians of the time. Early Christian writers, such as Clement of Rome and Polycarp, mention the resurrection in their correspondence, indicating that belief in the resurrection was not a later invention but part of the earliest Christian convictions.

Archaeological work around Judea, including findings in tombs consistent with first-century burial practices in Jerusalem, supports the Gospel details of Jesus’ burial (John 19:38–42). The earliest records of eyewitness reports (1 Corinthians 15:5–8) also align well with known historical testing for authenticity, strengthening the claim that Jesus truly died and rose again.

9. Assurance in the Cry of Abandonment

This cry, far from demonstrating any weakness in divinity, displays how thoroughly the righteous sufferer in Psalm 22 takes on the role of Redeemer (Mark 10:45). For believers, it exhibits the depth of divine compassion, revealing that no dimension of human pain—physical or spiritual—is beyond God’s understanding. This moment on the cross underscores that the salvation offered is complete, reaching into the darkest regions of anguish and despair, and offering hope through the victory secured by the resurrection.

10. Concluding Reflections

The statement “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” is a profound scriptural element that enriches one’s understanding of the work accomplished through the crucifixion. It anchors the atoning sacrifice to a detailed prophetic backdrop in Psalm 22 and showcases the depth of Jesus’ identification with human suffering. It maintains the integrity of His divine nature while highlighting real suffering. Finally, it foreshadows the triumphant resolution found in the resurrection, confirmed historically in the biblical record and supported by manuscript evidence and external testimonies.

In contemplating these words, one discovers a greater appreciation for the cohesive message woven through Scripture: from the consistent preservation of textual history—found in manuscripts and corroborated by archaeological discoveries—to the unity of the narrative regarding Jesus’ sacrificial death and bodily resurrection. This momentary cry of abandonment culminates in the promise of redemption, which stands as the ultimate gift offered to all who look upon the cross and trust in the power of the risen Christ.