Matthew 27:47

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.

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

  • Profound Misunderstanding: The central theme is the tragic misunderstanding of Jesus' words. His cry, likely spoken in Aramaic, was misinterpreted by some who heard it, either due to linguistic unfamiliarity or intentional ridicule.
  • Mockery and Scorn: The crowd's reaction, whether genuine misunderstanding or deliberate distortion, underscores the atmosphere of hostility and mockery that Jesus endured even in His final moments. This aligns with the overall theme of Jesus being scorned and rejected (Isaiah 53:3).
  • Prophetic Expectations: The mention of "Elias" (Elijah) taps into the deeply rooted Jewish expectation that the prophet Elijah would return before the Messiah's coming (Malachi 4:5). Some might have been testing Jesus, wondering if He would call on Elijah for miraculous deliverance, perhaps to fulfill their own preconceived notions of a Messiah.
  • Jesus' Isolation: Even in His deepest agony, Jesus faced not only physical torment but also profound spiritual and emotional isolation, intensified by the public's misunderstanding and scorn.

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:

  • The Danger of Misinterpretation: This verse serves as a sober reminder of how easily spiritual truths can be misunderstood or distorted, especially when filtered through preconceived notions or a lack of understanding. It emphasizes the importance of diligently seeking to understand God's Word accurately.
  • Enduring Misunderstanding: Just as Jesus faced misunderstanding and scorn, believers may also encounter situations where their words or actions are misconstrued, even when rooted in genuine faith. This verse encourages patience and steadfastness in the face of such challenges.
  • The Depth of Christ's Suffering: It deepens our appreciation for the immense suffering Jesus endured, which included not just physical pain but also the profound loneliness and rejection of being misunderstood and mocked by those He came to save. His willingness to endure such indignity for humanity's sake is a testament to His infinite love, a love described by John 3:16.
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.
  • 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.

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