Mark 15:35

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

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

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

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

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

Mark 15:35 describes a poignant moment during Jesus' crucifixion, highlighting the misunderstanding and skepticism of some onlookers. This verse immediately follows Jesus' agonizing cry from the cross, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" (My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?), as recorded in Mark 15:34.

Context

As Jesus hung on the cross, enduring immense physical and spiritual suffering, He uttered a cry that originated from Psalm 22:1. The Aramaic word "Eloi" (meaning "My God") was phonetically similar to "Elias" (the Greek form of Elijah). Because of this resemblance, some of those present at the crucifixion, perhaps genuinely misunderstanding or intentionally mocking, interpreted Jesus' cry as a plea for the prophet Elijah to come and rescue Him. This scene underscores the chaotic and deeply misunderstood nature of Jesus' final hours.

Key Themes

  • Misunderstanding and Ignorance: The verse vividly portrays the crowd's inability or unwillingness to grasp the profound spiritual significance of Jesus' words and mission. Their misinterpretation of "Eloi" as "Elias" reveals their spiritual blindness concerning the true identity of Christ.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: Despite the misunderstanding, Jesus' cry was a direct fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, emphasizing His role as the suffering servant.
  • Humanity of Christ: Even in His divine nature, Jesus experienced profound human suffering and the feeling of abandonment, which He expressed in His cry. The onlookers' reaction highlights the stark contrast between human perception and divine reality.
  • Jewish Expectation of Elijah: Many Jews at the time expected Elijah to reappear before the coming of the Messiah, based on prophecies like Malachi 4:5. This expectation likely fueled the misinterpretation, as some might have hoped Elijah would intervene to save Jesus, or others might have used it to mock Him.

Linguistic Insights

The core of this verse's meaning lies in the phonetic similarity between the Aramaic word Eloi (אֱלֹהִי – My God) and the Greek name Elias (Ἠλίας – Elijah). While Jesus was crying out to God the Father, the bystanders either misheard or deliberately twisted His words, perhaps associating them with the popular Jewish belief in Elijah's return as a precursor to the Messiah or a deliverer in times of great distress.

Reflection & Application

Mark 15:35 serves as a powerful reminder of how easily spiritual truth can be misunderstood, even when it is spoken plainly. It challenges us to consider our own readiness to truly hear and comprehend God's word, rather than imposing our own expectations or interpretations upon it. The scene also highlights the profound isolation Jesus experienced, not only from His Father but also from human understanding, as He bore the sins of the world. For believers today, it emphasizes the importance of seeking genuine understanding of Scripture and resisting the temptation to misinterpret or mock divine truth, instead striving to grasp the depth of Christ's sacrifice and love.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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