Matthew 27:47

47 "The man is calling for Elijah," said some of the bystanders.

Matthew 27:47 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 27:47

Some of them that stood there
Near the cross, looking on, and mocking at him,

when they heard that;
the words, "Eli, Eli", spoken by Christ,

said, this man calleth for Elias.
These could not be the Roman soldiers that said so, who had no notion of Elias; rather the Hellenistic Jews, who not so well understanding the Hebrew language, hearing the above words, and having some notion of the prophet Elias, fancied he was calling for him; though it seems most likely to be the Jews, who either through the nearness of the sound of the words, and mistake of them, and not near enough to hear and distinguish them, really thought he called for that prophet; or rather wilfully mistook him, with an intent to banter and ridicule him.

Matthew 27:47 In-Context

45 Now from noon until three o'clock in the afternoon there was darkness over the whole land;

46 but about three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is to say, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?"

47 "The man is calling for Elijah," said some of the bystanders.

48 One of them ran forthwith, and filling a sponge with sour wine put it on the end of a cane and offered it Him to drink;

49 while the rest said, "Let us see whether Elijah is coming to deliver him."