What does Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani mean?

Submit YOUR questions, through our easy to use form,
to our team of mature Christians known as the Email Evangelists!

Question: What is the word for word literal definition of the words found in Matthew 27 that Jesus cried out while he was dying on the cross?

Answer: The scripture in question is in Matthew 27:

"Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. 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 27:45-46, NKJV throughout)

The English words ELI ELI (Strong's Concordance Number #G2241) in their literal meaning in the Greek language are "God, God." The meaning of the word LAMA (Strong's Concordance Number #G2982) is "Why." Lastly, the exact meaning of the word SABACHTHANI (Strong's Concordance Number #G4518) is "You have left (forsaken, abandoned) me."

This phrase by Jesus is a quote taken from the book of Psalms, chapter 22.

"My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, and from the words of My groaning? O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; And in the night season, and am not silent." (Psalm 22:1-2)

Some in the crowd who heard Jesus cry out "Eli Eli . . ." from the cross thought he was calling on Elijah. Sadly, even those Jews who thought Jesus was crying out for Elijah, had NO compassion for him, but used what they thought they heard to taunt him.

"Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, 'This Man is calling for Elijah!' Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. The rest said, 'LET HIM ALONE; LET US SEE IF ELIJAH WILL COME TO SAVE HIM.'" (Matthew 27:47-49)

"Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, 'Look, He is calling for Elijah!' Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, 'LET HIM ALONE; LET US SEE IF ELIJAH WILL COME TO TAKE HIM DOWN.'" (Mark 15:35-36)

Soon after Jesus spoke the words in Matthew 27, his perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world complete, he cries his last words:

"And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, 'Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.' Having said this He breathed His last." (Luke 23:46)