Why did Jesus cry out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” to draw direct attention to Psalm 22, a messianic prophecy describing the suffering of the Christ. He was not separated from the Father, nor did He become sinful. Rather, He quoted the opening line of the psalm to point those witnessing His crucifixion to its fulfillment in Him.

“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’”
(Matthew 27:46)

Psalm 22 begins with a cry of anguish but unfolds as a prophetic description of the crucifixion. It speaks of mockery, pierced hands and feet, and the casting of lots for garments:

“They pierced My hands and My feet… They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.”
(Psalm 22:16, 18)

These details align exactly with what happened at the cross, confirming Jesus as the Messiah. His quoting of this psalm was not a cry of confusion or spiritual separation, but a declaration that what was written had come to pass.

By saying these words, Jesus directed those who heard Him to understand that the events unfolding were part of God’s predetermined plan. He was fulfilling prophecy openly, making it unmistakably clear that He was the one spoken of in Scripture.

Though He endured real suffering and anguish, Jesus never ceased to be in fellowship with the Father. He remained sinless:

“In Him there is no sin.”
(1 John 3:5)

And even as He died, He committed His spirit to the Father in perfect trust:

“Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.”
(Luke 23:46)

This cry on the cross affirms not separation, but identification with prophecy, and a public testimony that the Messiah had come to fulfill all things.

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