The Cry of Desolation and Hope: An Exegesis of Matthew 27:46

Matthew 27:46 captures one of the most poignant and powerful moments in the Passion narrative—the cry of Jesus from the cross: "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" This verse, part of the broader account of Jesus' crucifixion, reveals profound theological themes that have been a subject of reflection for scholars and theologians over centuries. To understand its significance, we must first examine its historical, literary, and theological context.

1. Historical Context

This verse occurs at the height of the crucifixion, after Jesus has endured physical pain, mockery, and abandonment by many of His followers. He is hanging on the cross, and darkness has covered the land for three hours (Matthew 27:45). Jesus' words are a direct quote from Psalm 22:1, a psalm attributed to David, often interpreted as a cry of despair but also a plea for deliverance. The connection to Psalm 22 is significant, as it establishes Jesus’ suffering within the broader narrative of God’s faithful response to the righteous, even in moments of profound distress.

2. Literary Context

Matthew 27:46 is situated at the climax of the Passion narrative, specifically in the account of Jesus' crucifixion. In the surrounding verses, we see Jesus’ abandonment by His disciples (Matthew 26:56) and His experiences of mockery and suffering. The cry from the cross, echoing the opening lines of Psalm 22, serves as a link between Jesus' personal agony and the Old Testament tradition of God’s faithful presence in the midst of suffering.

It’s crucial to note that while Matthew's Gospel is deeply concerned with presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, this cry from the cross is not simply a rhetorical or literary device. It is a deeply emotional and theological moment that marks the culmination of Jesus' earthly mission. Jesus, the Son of God, fully participates in the suffering of humanity, demonstrating His solidarity with the pain and desolation of the human condition.

3. Theological Reflection

At its core, Matthew 27:46 reveals the depth of Jesus’ suffering, both physically and spiritually. The words, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”, express a profound sense of abandonment. For many, this has been interpreted as a moment when Jesus, in His humanity, experiences the full weight of separation from God, bearing the sin of the world. This sense of abandonment has led some theologians to argue that Jesus' cry represents a moment of profound alienation—a point in which Jesus, who knew no sin, takes on the penalty for humanity’s sin.

However, it’s important to note that Jesus is not accusing God of ultimate abandonment. Instead, He is expressing the intensity of His suffering while invoking Psalm 22, which moves from lament to trust in God’s eventual deliverance. By quoting Psalm 22, Jesus is not only identifying with the suffering of the righteous person in the Psalms but also affirming His faith in God’s ultimate deliverance. This cry points forward to the resurrection and the ultimate vindication of Jesus by God the Father.

4. Connection to the Paschal Mystery

The cry of desolation is central to understanding the Paschal Mystery—the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. In His abandonment, Jesus fully embraces the reality of human suffering and sin. His cry embodies the loneliness and despair that so often accompany the human experience, making His sacrifice deeply relational. It is through this moment of seeming abandonment that Jesus makes it possible for humanity to experience God’s presence even in the darkest of times. The resurrection that follows demonstrates that even in moments of forsakenness, God is present, and God’s purposes will ultimately triumph.

5. A Cry of Hope

Despite the seeming despair in Jesus' words, there is hope embedded in this cry. Psalm 22, from which the cry is drawn, moves through despair and abandonment toward a confident trust in God's saving action. Jesus’ use of this psalm reminds the reader that even in the darkest moments, God's faithfulness and deliverance are assured. Jesus’ cry points to the ultimate victory over sin and death, which will be revealed in His resurrection. This is not a final cry of defeat, but one that expresses the depth of His suffering in order to reveal God’s plan of salvation.

Conclusion

Matthew 27:46 stands as a deeply moving and theologically rich moment in the Passion narrative. It is a cry that expresses Jesus' human experience of suffering, abandonment, and desolation, yet it also points to the hope of God’s deliverance. By quoting Psalm 22, Jesus demonstrates that His suffering is not in vain, but rather is part of the greater narrative of God’s redemptive plan. In this cry, we find not only the pain of the cross but also the promise of resurrection and the ultimate triumph of God's love over all suffering.