Matthew 27:49
The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.
Original Language Analysis
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔλεγον
said
G3004
ἔλεγον
said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
4 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
ἴδωμεν
let us see
G1492
ἴδωμεν
let us see
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
6 of 11
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ἔρχεται
will come
G2064
ἔρχεται
will come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
8 of 11
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Historical Context
This verse highlights Matthew's theme of misunderstood messiahship. The crowds expected political deliverance and supernatural spectacle. Jesus' contemporaries couldn't fathom a suffering Messiah—despite Isaiah 53—because rabbinic tradition emphasized the conquering King. Peter himself had rebuked Jesus for predicting his death (Matthew 16:22-23).
Questions for Reflection
- How do we demand Jesus 'prove himself' on our terms rather than submitting to God's redemptive plan?
- Why was it necessary for Christ to refuse miraculous rescue in order to accomplish salvation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him—the Greek ἄφες (let alone) shows the crowd treated Jesus' dying moments as entertainment, a test of prophetic claims. Their mocking 'wait and see' attitude echoes the taunt in verse 42: 'let him save himself.' They demanded miraculous rescue while missing that Christ's refusal to save himself was salvation.
The irony is profound: they waited for Elijah to descend from heaven, while the Greater-than-Elijah was ascending to heaven through death. Christ came 'not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom' (Matthew 20:28)—salvation required he not come down from the cross, that he not save himself.