Matthew Chapter 27 · Verse 47
Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.
Original Language Analysis
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἑστώτων
that stood
G2476
ἑστώτων
that stood
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
5 of 11
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
ἔλεγον
that said
G3004
ἔλεγον
that said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
7 of 11
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὅτι
G3754
Historical Context
First-century Jews expected Elijah to appear before the Messiah's coming (per rabbinic interpretation of Malachi). Jesus had already identified John the Baptist as the fulfillment of this prophecy (Matthew 11:14), but the crowd missed both arrivals. Aramaic was still spoken in Judea alongside Greek and Hebrew.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the crowd's mishearing illustrate spiritual deafness to Christ's true message?
- In what ways do we misinterpret Jesus' words through our own expectations rather than scriptural understanding?
Analysis & Commentary
This man calleth for Elias (Ἠλίαν φωνεῖ)—the crowd misheard Jesus' Aramaic cry 'Eli, Eli' (v. 46) as an invocation to Elijah, whose eschatological return was anticipated in Malachi 4:5-6. This tragic misunderstanding deepened Christ's isolation even in his final words of dereliction.
The confusion between Eli (My God) and Elias (Greek for Elijah) reflects the crowd's spiritual blindness—they heard a prophetic name instead of a prayer. While Jesus quoted Psalm 22:1 in fulfillment of Scripture, the mockers expected supernatural rescue by the Tishbite prophet. Their expectation would be ironically fulfilled—not through Elijah's intervention, but through Christ's own resurrection on the third day.