Matthew 27:49 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But the others said, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him."

NIV: The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him."

NASB: But the rest of them said, 'Let us see if Elijah comes to save Him .'

CSB: But the rest said, "Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him."

NLT: But the rest said, 'Wait! Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.'

KJV: The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.

NKJV: The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.”

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.

Matthew 27:45–56 describes the climactic moment when Jesus dies on the cross. Darkness falls over Israel as Jesus hangs near death. Jesus cries out the words of Psalm 22:1, which mean "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Some nearby think He is calling for Elijah the prophet to come and save Him. Jesus dies. Immediately, the massive temple curtain is torn in two, top to bottom. Earthquakes open the tombs of some of the saints of Israel, who are later resurrected. A Roman centurion is shocked enough to declare that Jesus was the Son of God. Three women, Jesus' friends, watch from a distance.

When Judas learns Jesus has been condemned, he regrets betraying the Lord. He throws down his ill-gotten money and hangs himself. Jesus is taken to Pilate, who finds nothing to charge Him with. Given the choice, the people shout for the release of a convicted murderer and insist on Jesus' death. Jesus is mocked by a battalion of soldiers and then taken to be crucified. On the cross, He is mocked for not being able to save Himself. After three hours of darkness, Jesus dies. He is buried by a rich follower in a new tomb. This location is tightly guarded to prevent anyone from stealing the body.

Matthew 27 begins with an official meeting of the Jewish ruling council. They affirm Jesus' condemnation from the previous night, described in chapter 26. Judas confesses his betrayal and hangs himself. Pilate tries to release Jesus, but the mob shouts for Jesus to be crucified. Jesus is humiliated by Roman soldiers and marched to be executed. On the cross, He is mocked by Jewish religious leaders and others. He dies and is buried in a never-used tomb. Extensive efforts to secure His body from being stolen only serve to prove the miraculous nature of His resurrection, which is detailed in chapter 28.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.