Mark 15:34 Meaning: The Cry of Abandonment and Its
At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is, being interpreted, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
and at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a great voice, saying, `Eloi, Eloi, lamma sabachthani?' which is, being interpreted, `My God, my God, why didst Thou forsake me?'
and at the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, [saying], Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Meaning in one sentence
In Mark 15:34, Jesus cries out in Aramaic quoting Psalm 22:1. Discover why the Son of God felt forsaken and what it means for our salvation.
Context
The Gospel of Mark gives us the most spare, raw account of Jesus’ crucifixion. By the ninth hour, three in the afternoon, darkness has covered the land for three hours. The mockers have had their say, the soldiers have cast lots, and Jesus has been hanging since the third hour. Now, in that heavy silence, something changes. Mark records only one saying from the cross, and he keeps it in the original Aramaic before translating it. This is the moment the sky itself seemed to hold its breath.
Key Words
Two Greek verbs carry the weight here. The word translated cried (boaō) means to raise a loud, piercing cry, not a whisper of complaint, but a shout that forces everyone to hear. Jesus does not mutter this question; He hurls it into the dark.
The other key word is egkataleipō, forsaken. It means to abandon someone in a tight spot, to leave them stranded. Thayer’s lexicon describes it as “totally abandoned, utterly forsaken.” Yet the Aramaic word Jesus uses, sabachthani, comes straight from Psalm 22, where David cries the same thing and then, in the same psalm, trusts God again. The word itself is a cry of pain, but it is also a word of faith, He still calls God Eloi, “my God.”
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have pondered this verse with awe. Wesley saw Jesus “lamenting his Father’s withdrawing the tokens of his love, while he bare our sins.” Poole emphasised it was not a total forsaking, the first words, “My God,” show the relationship held, but a withdrawal of the consolations of God’s presence. The Cambridge Bible notes that this is the only saying from the cross Mark records, and that it echoes David’s complaint in Psalm 22. Catholics often meditate on the mystery of Jesus taking on the full weight of human separation from God, while Reformed traditions stress the substitutionary nature of the cry. All agree: here is something too deep for easy explanation.
A common misunderstanding
Some read this verse and think Jesus doubted the Father’s love, or that the Father actually turned away from the Son in anger. In fact, Jesus still calls God “My God”, twice. He is quoting a psalm that begins in despair but ends in deliverance and praise. The forsaking is real, but it is not final. Jesus experienced the separation we deserve so that we would never have to face it alone.
Living This Out
When you feel God is distant, during a long illness, a lonely season, a prayer that seems to hit the ceiling, you might feel afraid to admit it. This verse gives you words. You do not have to pretend you feel close to God. You can cry out honestly, even with the question “Why?” And because Jesus took the ultimate forsaking on the cross, your temporary feelings of distance are not abandonment. Your “My God” still holds.
Main takeaway: Jesus took the full weight of our separation from God so that we would never be finally forsaken.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Jesus was hurting very much on the cross. He said a loud prayer: “My God, my God, why did You leave Me?” But even when He felt alone, He still called God His God. Jesus knows what it feels like when you are sad or scared. You can always call God your God too.
For ages 9, 12
Jesus quoted an old psalm King David wrote when he was in deep trouble. Even though Jesus felt forsaken, He still trusted God enough to call Him “My God.” This shows that you can be honest with God about your pain without losing your faith. Sometimes you may feel like God is far away, but Jesus already went through that for you. You can cry out to Him and He understands.
Questions People Ask
Why did Jesus say 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani' instead of the Hebrew from Psalm 22?
Mark records the Aramaic phrase Jesus actually spoke. The Hebrew of Psalm 22:1 is 'Eli, Eli, lama azavtani.' Aramaic was the common language of Jews in first-century Palestine. Jesus used the version people would have recognized from the synagogue, which is why some bystanders thought He was calling for Elijah (Mark 15:35).
Does this verse mean God the Father abandoned Jesus on the cross?
Christian teaching has always held that there was no break in the Trinity. Jesus still calls God 'My God,' so the relationship held. What Jesus experienced was the withdrawal of the felt presence and comfort of the Father, the full weight of what sin separates us from God. He took that separation so we could be brought near.
Why does Mark only record this one saying from the cross?
The Cambridge Bible notes that Mark gives only this saying, while Luke and John record others. Mark’s Gospel emphasises the suffering and human weakness of Jesus, so this cry of dereliction fits his theme. It shows Jesus truly human, bearing the full reality of our pain.
Is Jesus quoting Psalm 22:1, and does that change the meaning?
Yes, He is quoting the opening line of Psalm 22. That psalm begins in desperate complaint but ends in confident praise and deliverance. By quoting it, Jesus is not expressing final despair; He is placing His suffering within a Scripture that ultimately trusts God’s faithfulness.
Why was it the ninth hour?
The ninth hour (3 p.m.) was the time of the evening sacrifice in the Temple. As the lamb was being offered, Jesus, the Lamb of God, offered Himself. The darkness from the sixth to the ninth hour (noon to 3 p.m.) signified judgment and cosmic mourning.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study