Topic:  Why did Jesus say "Eloi, eloi..."?

Source of this posting: Moderator response

Date originally posted: February 11, 2003

Moderator who originally posted this source: Father Phillip

Question:  Why did jesus yell out Eloi, eloi, lama sabachthani right before he died on the cross? I dont understand why he would ask that? I would really appreciate it if you could help me clear that up! Thank you very much for your time.God bless

Answer: 

The truth, Chris, is that nobody really KNOWS why the Lord Jesus cried out "Eloi, Eloi..." from the Cross. We can't read His mind or know precisely what was in His heart. But it's a good question.

Most scholars about whom I know anything postulate that these words are the Aramaic version of the Hebrew Bible's Psalm 22.

Take your Bible and read Psalm 22. When I've done that, it helps me understand why MAYBE Jesus cried these words out.

Take special note of how Psalm 22 ends. Though Psalm 22 begins with a profound sense of desolation -- which is most understandable for the Lord on the Cross Who had been denied and betrayed and abandoned -- but the Psalm concludes with a truly miraculous affirmation of and confidence in the goodness of God.

So, these scholars speculate, Jesus was doing what so many of God's people do in a moment of horrible tragedy: He was quoting the Scripture.

Hope this helps!

Blessings,
Father Phillip