What does Matthew 27:49 mean?

Jesus has cried out with a loud voice the words of Psalm 22:1, in Aramaic (Matthew 27:46). His words began with "Eli, Eli," meaning, "My God, my God." Some standing nearby mistakenly thought Jesus was calling "Elijah, Elijah." The prophet Elijah was thought to be the greatest prophet in Israel's long history. He never died and was taken to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:1–12). A few people nearby seem to think Jesus calling for Elijah to save Him from the cross. After the sarcastic taunts of those watching Jesus die (Matthew 27:39–44), they may have thought Jesus was trying to call out for rescue.

Someone in the crowd offered Jesus "sour wine," possibly a painkiller or merely a noxious drink (Matthew 27:48). While Jesus refused this earlier (Matthew 27:34), John's gospel suggests He took some immediately before He died (John 19:28–30). Seconds from death, there would have been no chance of becoming drunk, and this also fulfilled additional prophecies (Psalm 69:21).

Others in the audience object. Whether they try to stop this offering, or not, they wonder if Elijah will really show up and save Jesus in the final moments. In that sense, they express some desire to see Jesus proved a powerful figure, after all.