Sabachthani
TextsWhat is the meaning of Sabachthani in the Bible?
The phrase 'Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani' appears in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 as the final words of Jesus on the cross, translating from Aramaic to 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing this Aramaic original clarifies the linguistic context of the Gospel accounts and connects the narrative directly to Psalm 22, allowing readers to see how the author intended the audience to interpret the event through established Jewish scripture.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Manuscript & Literary Context: Notice how Sabachthani functions as an authoritative historical witness connecting earlier prophetic promises with scripture's broader fulfillment.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Sabachthani in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Sabachthani clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Matthew 27:46Mark 15:34
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Sabachthani." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/sabachthani/