Matthew Chapter 27 · Verse 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?
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.