Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI

(Gk. ēlí ēlí lemá sabachtháni)

Traditionally known as the fourth word on the cross, Jesus’ last response on the cross (Matt. 27:46). The sentence “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” is a Greek transliteration of a Hebrew version of Ps. 22:1(MT 2). The parallel question (Mark 15:34; Gk. elōí elōí lemá sabachtháni) is a Greek transliteration of an Aramaic version of Ps. 22:1(2). In both Matthew and Mark a Greek translation follows the transliteration.

Jesus speaks these words after a three-hour period of darkness over the whole land, one of the signs that his death anticipates the Parousia. In both Gospels bystanders think that Jesus is calling out to Elijah to help him. Those listening to or reading either Gospel know, however, that Elijah will not save Jesus since Elijah had already returned in the person of John the Baptist, whom Herod had beheaded. If Jesus’ words recall to Mark’s and Matthew’s audiences the entirety of Ps. 22, , which concludes with the psalmist’s trust in God, then they may have also understood Jesus’ words as an expression of his trust in God in the midst of his anguish.

Emily Cheney

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)