27:45 That "land"(Gr. ge) was abnormally dark from noon until 3:00 p.m. Matthew's use of geprobably indicates Israel. Darkness in Scripture often represents judgment and or tragedy (cf. Exod. 10:21-22; Amos 8:9-10). Matthew's description of the setting "conveys a strong sense of impending disaster."1067This was a judgment on Israel and its people, but it was also a judgment on Jesus. His cry of desolation came out of this darkness (v. 46). This was a time of judgment on Jesus for the sins of all humanity.
27:46 Jesus cried out the words of Psalm 22:1 because His Father was abandoning Him. It was out of a similar sense of abandonment that David originally wrote the words of this psalm. This must have been the worst part of the Cross for Jesus who had never before experienced anything but intimate fellowship with His Father. Jesus became the center of God's judgment on mankind's sin (cf. Rom. 3:21-26; 2 Cor. 5:21).1068
"Here Jesus was bearing the sins of the whole world, and even God the Father had to turn away as Jesus bore the curse and identified Himself with the sins of the whole world. When Jesus actually died, He commended Himself back into the Father's hands."1069
The NASB has "Eli, Eli"that transliterates the Hebrew words that mean "My God, my God."The NIV has "Eloi, Eloi,"the Aramaic words that mean the same thing. Probably the NIV is correct here. Jesus evidently quoted these words in Aramaic (cf. Mark 15:34). The remaining words "lama sabachthani"are Aramaic. Matthew translated Jesus' Aramaic words into Greek, or perhaps a later copyist made the change.
By comparing the Gospel accounts we know that Jesus spoke seven times while hanging on the cross. First, He said, "Father, forgive them"(Luke 23:34). Second, He told one of the insurrectionists crucified with Him, "Today you shall be with me in paradise"(Luke 23:43). Third, He told His mother, "Woman, behold your son,"and He told John, "Behold, your mother"(John 19:26-27). Fourth, He cried, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"(Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:34). Fifth, He said, "I thirst"(John 19:28). Sixth, He exclaimed, "It is finished"(John 19:30). Seventh, He cried, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"(Matt. 27:50; Luke 23:46).
27:47 This statement by some onlookers reflects a belief that Elijah, whom God took to heaven without dying, would come to rescue the righteous from their distress. There is no biblical basis for this idea. Perhaps it had some connection with the prophecy about Elijah's return to herald Messiah's appearing.
27:48-49 Evidently one of the soldiers took another opportunity to mock Jesus further (cf. v. 34). The Greek word translated "sour wine"or "wine vinegar"is oxosand means "vinegar."It probably describes the wine that the soldiers strengthened with vinegar and drank themselves. By giving this to Jesus they really lengthened His sufferings. It was a profession of compassion to offer Jesus the drink, but it did Him no favor. "But"(Gr. de) in the NASB in verse 49 is too strong a translation. "Leave Him alone now"gives the sense better. The soldiers wanted to see what the result of Jesus' drinking the vinegar would be. With false piety the soldiers sarcastically said they would wait to see if Elijah would come to rescue Jesus.
27:50 Forsaken by everyone including His Father, Jesus again cried out in His agony (cf. John 19:30). This was His sixth utterance on the cross. Then followed, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit"(Luke 23:46). Shortly thereafter He dismissed His spirit (i.e., His life, Gr. pneuma). Matthew's description of the moment of Jesus' death shows that Jesus had sovereign control over His own life (cf. John 10:18). Jesus manifested His kingly authority even with His dying breath. He did not commit suicide as Judas had done, but He laid down His life in self-sacrifice for the sins of humankind (cf. 20:28).
