Some of them that stood there, when they heard [that], said, This [man] calleth for Elias.
{G1161} Some of them {G5100} that stood {G2476} there {G1563}, when they heard {G191} that, said {G3004}{G3754}, This {G3778} man calleth for {G5455} Elias {G2243}.
On hearing this, some of the bystanders said, "He's calling for Eliyahu."
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He is calling Elijah.”
And some of them that stood there, when they heard it, said, This man calleth Elijah.
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Malachi 4:5
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: -
Mark 15:35
And some of them that stood by, when they heard [it], said, Behold, he calleth Elias. -
Mark 15:36
And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put [it] on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down. -
Matthew 11:14
And if ye will receive [it], this is Elias, which was for to come.
Context
This verse occurs during the pivotal moment of Jesus' crucifixion, just after He utters His cry of dereliction from the cross: "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" ("My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?") as recorded in Matthew 27:46. The scene is set on Golgotha, with a crowd of onlookers, Roman soldiers, and Jewish leaders present. The statement in verse 47 reflects the immediate reaction of some who heard Jesus' agonizing cry, highlighting the confusion and possibly the mocking atmosphere surrounding His death.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The core of this verse's meaning lies in a linguistic nuance. Jesus' cry, "Eli, Eli," is Aramaic for "My God, My God." However, the Greek form of the Hebrew prophet Elijah is "Elias." The phonetic similarity between "Eli" and "Elias" in the ears of those who were not fluent in Aramaic, or perhaps spoke Greek primarily, led to the misunderstanding. This highlights the tragic irony: Jesus was calling out to God the Father, but those around Him thought He was invoking a prophet, completely missing the profound spiritual depth of His cry.
Practical Application
Matthew 27:47 offers several insights for believers today: