Mark 15:35

KJV

And some of them that stood by, when they heard [it], said, Behold, he calleth Elias.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} some of them {G5100} that stood by {G3936}, when they heard {G191} it, said {G3004}, Behold {G2400}, he calleth {G5455} Elias {G2243}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On hear ing this, some of the bystanders said, "Look! He's calling for Eliyahu!"

Berean Standard Bible

When some of those standing nearby heard this, they said, “Behold, He is calling Elijah.”

American Standard Version

And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elijah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 15:35 captures a poignant moment during Jesus' crucifixion where some onlookers misinterpret His agonizing cry from the cross, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" (My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?). Due to the phonetic similarity between the Aramaic "Eloi" and the Greek "Elias" (Elijah), these bystanders mistakenly, and perhaps mockingly, conclude that Jesus is calling for the prophet Elijah to come and rescue Him, highlighting their profound spiritual misunderstanding of His identity and mission.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' climactic cry of dereliction in [Mark 15:34](/mark/15-34 "Mark 15:34 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction"), a direct quotation from [Psalm 22:1](/psalms/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?"). The narrative in Mark's Gospel has consistently built towards this moment of ultimate suffering and divine abandonment, yet it is juxtaposed with human misunderstanding. The reaction of the bystanders in [Mark 15:35](/mark/15-35 "Mark 15:35 - Onlookers Misinterpret Jesus' Cry") and the subsequent offer of vinegar in [Mark 15:36](/mark/15-36 "Mark 15:36 - The Offer of Vinegar") further emphasize the chaotic, cruel, and profoundly misunderstood nature of Jesus' final hours before His death in [Mark 15:37](/mark/15-37 "Mark 15:37 - Jesus Breathes His Last"). This scene underscores the chasm between divine reality and human perception at the very climax of Jesus' earthly ministry.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judea was steeped in messianic expectation, often intertwined with the prophecy of Elijah's return. According to [Malachi 4:5](/malachi/4-5 "Malachi 4:5 - Prophecy of Elijah's Return"), Elijah was expected to reappear before the "great and dreadful day of the Lord" to prepare the way for the Messiah. This belief was deeply ingrained in Jewish popular thought, leading some to interpret any significant event or cry for help through the lens of Elijah's potential intervention. The crucifixion site, Golgotha, was a public spectacle, drawing a diverse crowd including Roman soldiers, Jewish leaders, and ordinary citizens. Amidst the chaos and mockery, the phonetic similarity between the Aramaic "Eloi" (אֱלֹהִי – My God) and the Greek "Elias" (Ἠλίας – Elijah) would have been easily confused or deliberately twisted by those present, whether out of genuine misunderstanding, cynical mockery, or a desperate hope for a miraculous intervention by the revered prophet.

* **Key Themes:** Mark 15:35 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Mark's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the pervasive **misunderstanding and spiritual blindness** concerning Jesus' true identity and mission, a theme present throughout [Mark's Gospel](/mark/1 "The Gospel According to Mark"). Even at the cross, the ultimate revelation of God's redemptive plan, many fail to grasp its meaning. Secondly, it underscores the **humanity of Christ**, as Jesus experiences profound physical and spiritual suffering, including a sense of abandonment, expressed in His cry (cf. [Psalm 22:1](/psalms/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?")). The onlookers' reaction starkly contrasts human limitations with divine reality. Lastly, the verse implicitly touches upon the **fulfillment of prophecy**, as Jesus' cry, though misinterpreted, aligns with the suffering servant motif (e.g., [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant")) and the broader divine plan for redemption, which did not involve an earthly rescue by Elijah but a spiritual victory through sacrifice.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **heard (Greek, _akoúō'_):** This verb signifies the act of perceiving sound, but also, by extension, to understand or comprehend. In this context, the bystanders physically heard Jesus' cry, yet their subsequent interpretation reveals a profound failure to *understand* its true spiritual significance. Their hearing was superficial, leading to a misattribution of Jesus' words.
* **calleth (Greek, _phōnéō'_):** Meaning "to emit a sound," "to speak," or "to call by name," this word highlights the bystanders' interpretation of Jesus' utterance as an active invocation. They perceived Jesus' cry of profound spiritual distress as a direct summons for Elijah, rather than a lament or a prayer to God the Father. This choice of verb underscores their active misinterpretation of the nature of Jesus' vocalization.
* **Elias (Greek, _Hēlías'_):** This is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name Elijah, a pivotal prophet in Israelite history. The immediate leap to "Elias" by the bystanders reveals their deep-seated Jewish eschatological expectations concerning Elijah's return as a forerunner to the Messiah or a deliverer in times of crisis. Their interpretation is colored by their cultural and religious framework, preventing them from recognizing the unique nature of Jesus' identity and suffering.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And some of them that stood by,"**: This phrase identifies a specific subset of the crowd present at the crucifixion. It implies not all onlookers reacted this way, but a particular group, perhaps those closest to the cross or those more vocal in their opinions, engaged in this misinterpretation. This group likely includes both casual observers and those with hostile intentions.
* **"when they heard [it],"**: This clause refers to the auditory trigger for their reaction: Jesus' preceding cry, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" from [Mark 15:34](/mark/15-34 "Mark 15:34 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction"). It emphasizes that their subsequent statement was a direct response to what they perceived to have heard, setting the stage for the crucial misunderstanding.
* **"said,"**: This simple verb indicates their verbal articulation of their interpretation. It was not a silent thought but an open declaration, possibly shared among themselves or even shouted in the hearing of others, contributing to the chaotic atmosphere at the cross.
* **"Behold, he calleth Elias."**: This is the core of the bystanders' misinterpretation. The interjection "Behold" (idoú) draws attention to their supposed discovery or conclusion. They assert that Jesus is not crying out to God but is instead invoking the prophet Elijah. This statement reveals their spiritual blindness, their inability to grasp the profound theological meaning of Jesus' cry, and their tendency to filter divine truth through their own preconceived notions and cultural expectations.

#### Literary Devices
The profound **Irony** is the most striking literary device in Mark 15:35. Jesus, the true Messiah and Son of God, cries out to His Father in the depths of His suffering, yet those who await a deliverer fundamentally misunderstand His words, interpreting them as a desperate call for Elijah, the very prophet expected to herald the Messiah. This creates a tragic and poignant contrast between divine reality and human misperception. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** between Jesus' profound spiritual agony and the superficial, often mocking, interpretations of the crowd. This highlights the chasm between the sacred and the profane, and the human inability to comprehend the divine plan unfolding before their eyes. The scene also contains a subtle form of **Foreshadowing**, as the misunderstanding of Jesus' identity and mission, evident here even at the cross, foreshadows the continued spiritual blindness that many would exhibit towards the resurrected Christ and the early Christian message.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 15:35 serves as a powerful theological commentary on the nature of spiritual perception and the profound chasm between human expectations and divine reality. The bystanders' misinterpretation of Jesus' cry underscores the pervasive theme of spiritual blindness that permeates the Gospels, where even in the presence of ultimate truth, many fail to recognize or comprehend it. This moment at the cross highlights the isolation of Christ, not only in His physical suffering and sense of divine abandonment but also in the human inability to grasp the depth of His redemptive work. It challenges believers to move beyond superficial hearing to genuine understanding, recognizing that God's ways often defy human logic and expectation. The scene ultimately magnifies the depth of Christ's sacrifice, as He sustains both divine judgment and human misunderstanding for the sake of humanity's salvation.

* [Psalm 22:1](/psalms/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?")
* [Malachi 4:5](/malachi/4-5 "Malachi 4:5 - Prophecy of Elijah's Return")
* [John 1:10-11](/john/1-10-11 "John 1:10-11 - He Came to His Own")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 15:35 is a stark reminder of how easily spiritual truth can be distorted or missed entirely, even when it is spoken plainly and profoundly. It challenges us to examine our own hearts: are we truly listening to God's Word with an open mind and a receptive spirit, or are we imposing our own preconceived notions, expectations, or biases upon it? The bystanders' misinterpretation of "Eloi" as "Elias" illustrates the danger of filtering divine revelation through human traditions or desires for a different kind of deliverer. This verse also invites us to ponder the immense isolation Jesus experienced on the cross – not only bearing the weight of humanity's sin and the feeling of abandonment by the Father but also facing the profound misunderstanding and mockery of those He came to save. For contemporary believers, it underscores the importance of diligent study of Scripture, reliance on the Holy Spirit for true understanding, and a humble posture that seeks to align our perceptions with God's revealed truth, rather than twisting it to fit our own narratives. It calls us to empathy for Christ's suffering and a renewed commitment to proclaiming His truth clearly, recognizing that spiritual blindness still exists today.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might my own preconceived notions or cultural expectations hinder my understanding of God's Word today?**
* **How does the crowd's misunderstanding of Jesus' cry deepen my appreciation for the isolation and suffering He endured for my sake?**
* **What steps can I take to ensure I am truly listening to and comprehending divine truth, rather than misinterpreting it?**

### FAQ
**Why did the bystanders confuse "Eloi" with "Elias"?**

Answer: The confusion primarily stemmed from the phonetic similarity between the Aramaic word "Eloi" (אֱלֹהִי), meaning "My God," which Jesus uttered, and the Greek name "Elias" (Ἠλίας), referring to the prophet Elijah. In the chaotic and noisy environment of the crucifixion, such a mishearing was plausible. Furthermore, Jewish eschatological expectations played a significant role. Many Jews at the time believed that Elijah would return before the Messiah's coming, as prophesied in [Malachi 4:5](/malachi/4-5 "Malachi 4:5 - Prophecy of Elijah's Return"), or that he would intervene in times of great distress. This deeply ingrained cultural belief would have primed some listeners to interpret any cry for help as an invocation of Elijah, either out of genuine misunderstanding or as a cynical taunt.

**What was the significance of Elijah in Jewish thought at the time of Jesus?**

Answer: Elijah held a highly revered and eschatological position in Jewish thought. He was seen as the quintessential prophet, associated with powerful miracles and a direct challenge to idolatry. Crucially, the prophecy in [Malachi 4:5-6](/malachi/4-5-6 "Malachi 4:5-6 - Elijah's Return to Prepare the Way") stated that Elijah would return "before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord" to "turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers." This led to a widespread expectation that Elijah would be the forerunner of the Messiah, preparing the way, or even a powerful deliverer who would intervene in times of national crisis. This expectation is evident in other Gospel passages, such as the disciples' question about Elijah in [Matthew 17:10](/matthew/17-10 "Matthew 17:10 - Disciples Ask About Elijah").

**Was the crowd's reaction purely a misunderstanding, or was there an element of mockery?**

Answer: It was likely a complex mix of both. For some, especially those not familiar with Aramaic or caught in the general tumult, it could have been a genuine phonetic misunderstanding. However, for others, particularly the religious leaders and those hostile to Jesus, it was almost certainly an element of mockery and derision. The idea that Jesus, who claimed to be the Son of God, was now desperately calling for an earthly prophet like Elijah would have been a potent source of ridicule, further undermining His claims in the eyes of the crowd. The subsequent offer of vinegar in [Mark 15:36](/mark/15-36 "Mark 15:36 - The Offer of Vinegar") by some, seemingly to see if Elijah would indeed come, supports the presence of mockery.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 15:35, though depicting human misunderstanding, profoundly highlights the Christ-centered nature of salvation. Jesus' cry, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (cf. [Mark 15:34](/mark/15-34 "Mark 15:34 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), was not a desperate plea for an earthly prophet like Elijah to intervene, but a direct address to the Father, revealing the depths of His identification with humanity's sin and the divine judgment He bore on our behalf. In that moment, the Son, who had always known perfect communion with the Father, experienced the ultimate separation so that humanity could be reconciled to God. The bystanders' misinterpretation, calling for "Elias," ironically underscores the truth that no prophet, no matter how great, could accomplish the salvation that only the Lamb of God could provide (cf. [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Jesus' suffering and apparent abandonment were not a sign of weakness requiring an earthly rescue, but the very means by which He became the sympathetic High Priest (cf. [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")) who bore our sins (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")) and secured eternal redemption through His obedient sacrifice (cf. [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Thus, even in the midst of profound human blindness, Mark 15:35 points to the unparalleled and exclusive saving work of Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 27:47

Some of them that stood there, when they heard [that], said, This [man] calleth for Elias.

Matthew 27:49

The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.

Matthew 17:11

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.

Matthew 17:13

Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

Mark 9:11

And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?

Mark 9:13

But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.