Why does Jesus, believed to be divine, cry out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34)?

1. The Scriptural Context of the Cry

Mark 15:34 records: “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ which is translated, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’” This exclamation appears in parallel accounts (Matthew 27:46) and directly quotes Psalm 22:1. In Scripture, this moment is presented as a fulfillment of prophecy and a profound insight into the suffering and role of the Messiah.

Psalm 22 is recognized by many as a prophetic foreshadowing of crucifixion, describing details that align with the events at the cross (e.g., Psalm 22:16 mentions pierced hands and feet). By citing the opening of Psalm 22, Jesus’ words connect His suffering to a well-known Messianic passage, highlighting that His anguish is part of redemptive purpose rather than a mere random outcry.

2. The Nature of Jesus and the Depth of His Suffering

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is presented as fully divine and fully human. His deity is affirmed in passages like John 1:1, 14, where He is called the “Word” who was with God and was God, and then became flesh. At the same time, as a human, He experienced emotions such as grief, anguish, and even physical death.

In this moment on the cross, that genuine humanity is poignantly seen. The weight of sin, described in 2 Corinthians 5:21 as “[God] made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf,” underscores that Jesus bore the penalty of humanity’s transgressions. The “forsaken” cry expresses the depth of that spiritual burden, as He suffers the consequences of sin (Romans 6:23). Yet it in no way diminishes His divine identity; rather, it highlights the extent of what He willingly endured to reconcile humanity to God.

3. Fulfillment of Prophetic Scripture

The exact wording from Psalm 22:1, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” situates Jesus’ suffering as a direct fulfillment of the Scriptures. The entire Psalm, especially Psalm 22:1–18, contains striking parallels to the crucifixion:

• Piercing of hands and feet (v. 16).

• Dividing garments by casting lots (v. 18).

• Mockery and wagging heads (v. 7).

By quoting the opening line, Jesus draws attention to the entire Psalm, which concludes on a note of hope and vindication (Psalm 22:22–31). In linking His own ordeal to this passage, He demonstrates that the plan of salvation had been foretold long ago.

4. Theological Significance of “Forsaken”

One common question asks how Jesus, who is God, could be “forsaken” by God. Several factors address this:

1. Expression of Genuine Human Anguish: Jesus genuinely experienced what it feels like for humanity’s sin to separate one from the holiness of God (cf. Isaiah 59:2). Hence, the cry expresses real pain born out of bearing sin’s penalty—even though He Himself remained sinless (Hebrews 4:15).

2. Penal Substitution: Scriptural teaching (Isaiah 53:4–6; 2 Corinthians 5:21) conveys that the Messiah would bear humanity’s iniquities. In doing so, He experiences what it means to be under the divine judgment that sinful humanity deserved.

3. Covenantal Echo: The quote from Psalm 22 underscores covenant faithfulness. The psalmist, though in despair, ultimately proclaims God’s deliverance. Jesus’ cry reflects the fulfillment of that same promise: after utter darkness, there would be resurrection glory (Mark 16:6; Romans 1:4).

5. Early Manuscript Evidence Supporting the Cry

Ancient manuscripts such as Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus include Mark 15:34, confirming that this statement was part of the earliest recorded tradition. The inclusion of these very words—so raw and seemingly “embarrassing” from a purely human viewpoint—argues strongly for the authenticity of the Gospel accounts (a principle in textual studies known as the “criterion of embarrassment”). If the early church were fabricating a triumphant Messiah, they would not likely preserve a cry of apparent abandonment.

6. Historical Context and Archaeological Corroboration

Archaeological finds, like the remains of crucifixion victims from first-century Judea (including the skeleton discovered at Givat HaMivtar with a nail through the heel bone), provide tangible evidence that the Gospel narratives accurately describe Roman crucifixion practices of that time. This historical backdrop reinforces the credibility of Mark’s account depicting Jesus’ suffering and His intense cry.

Additionally, non-Christian writings such as those from Tacitus (Annals 15.44) and Josephus (Antiquities 18.3.3) attest to the crucifixion of Jesus under Pontius Pilate, supporting the Gospel narrative’s historical setting. Such external corroboration strengthens confidence in the veracity of the Gospel records.

7. Christ’s Willing Sacrifice and the Path to Hope

Though fierce in agony, the cry from the cross does not represent the end of the story. Jesus’ death culminates in the resurrection (Mark 16:6–7), providing hope and solidifying Him as the Savior. Romans 8:34 testifies that Christ is risen and is at the right hand of God, interceding for believers. Meanwhile, the forsaken cry intensifies the reality of what it cost for Him to accomplish salvation.

8. Integration of Divine Love and Justice

Jesus’ anguish exemplifies both aspects of God’s nature:

• Love: John 3:16—God so loved the world that He gave His Son. The depth of that love is displayed most vividly on the cross.

• Holiness and Justice: God’s holiness requires the penalty for sin (Romans 6:23). Christ’s suffering meets that requirement, upholding God’s righteousness while extending redemption.

By experiencing this forsakenness, Christ satisfies divine justice and opens the door to reconciliation for all who place their faith in Him.

9. Conclusion: The Profound Meaning of the Cry

Jesus’ words, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” simultaneously fulfill ancient prophecy, convey the depth of His redemptive sacrifice, and display profound authenticity in the Gospel narrative. Far from contradicting His divinity, the cry underscores the dual reality of His full humanity and His divine mission. It uncovers the costliness of sin, the faithfulness of God’s redemptive plan, and the lengths to which divine love extends to rescue humankind.

Though momentarily expressing the weight of separation that sin brings, Jesus’ cry is not one of ultimate despair but a pivotal juncture that leads to triumph in the resurrection. Thus, His cry from the cross stands as both the darkest and the most hope-filled declaration in human history—testifying that God’s plan was fulfilled and salvation secured for all who believe.