The form σαβαχθανί appears twice in the Greek New Testament, both times in the passion narratives: Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34. In each case it preserves, in Greek letters, the original cry voiced by the Lord Jesus during the darkness that covered Golgotha.

Connection to Psalm Twenty-Two

Jesus’ words allude directly to Psalm 22:1, anchoring His suffering within a recognized messianic psalm. By uttering the Aramaic phrase rather than merely quoting in Hebrew or Greek, He highlights the personal and historical continuity between David’s anguish and His own redemptive affliction. The citation summons the entire psalm into the moment, including its movement from desolation to ultimate vindication (Psalm 22:22-31).

Theological Weight of the Utterance

1. Identification with Human Suffering. By voicing the sense of abandonment, the incarnate Son shares the deepest recesses of human despair, yet without sin, providing a perfect High Priest who is able to sympathize fully (Hebrews 4:15).
2. Substitutionary Atonement. The forsakenness expressed is not relational rupture within the Trinity, but judicial abandonment as the spotless Lamb bears the imputed guilt of sinners (2 Corinthians 5:21).
3. Continuity of Divine Purpose. Even in apparent abandonment the Father is fulfilling the plan conceived before the foundation of the world (Acts 2:23). The cry therefore magnifies, rather than undermines, the Father’s faithfulness.

Christological Implications

The retention of the Semitic phrase highlights Jesus’ dual identity. He is the Jewish Messiah who speaks the language of His people, and the universal Savior whose words are preserved in Greek for the benefit of the nations. The evangelists preserve the sound of the original cry to convey its historical authenticity and emotional force, underscoring that the crucifixion is no myth but a concrete event.

Prophetic Fulfillment and Apologetic Value

Matthew and Mark record the phrase not merely for dramatic effect but to demonstrate that Jesus consciously fulfills Scripture. The surrounding events—casting lots (Psalm 22:18), mockery (Psalm 22:7-8), thirst (Psalm 22:15)—form a cluster of fulfillments that corroborate His messianic credentials.

Pastoral and Devotional Value

Believers find in σαβαχθανί assurance that no depth of sorrow is outside the Savior’s experience. When the righteous feel abandoned, they echo a cry He has already carried to the throne of grace, turning despair into confident petition (Hebrews 5:7).

Liturgical Echoes in Early Church Practice

Early congregations often read Psalm Twenty-Two during Holy Week, allowing the Aramaic phrase to resonate through the centuries. Some ancient liturgies preserved the exact wording to maintain a living link with Calvary, reminding worshipers that the gospel is rooted in historical speech acts.

Missionary Significance

The Gospel writers’ decision to transliterate rather than translate exemplifies Scripture’s commitment to preserve original testimony while also interpreting it (“which means, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’” Matthew 27:46). This pattern models faithful contextualization: retain what is essential, explain what is obscure, and proclaim Christ crucified across linguistic boundaries.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 4518, σαβαχθανί, stands as a poignant marker of the cost of redemption. Its twofold appearance gathers Old Testament prophecy, Christ’s unique mediatorial suffering, and the believer’s assurance into one unforgettable exclamation from the cross.