Matthew 27:47 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.”

NIV: When some of those standing there heard this, they said, 'He's calling Elijah.'

NASB: And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, said, 'This man is calling for Elijah.'

CSB: When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling for Elijah."

NLT: Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah.

KJV: Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.

NKJV: Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!”

Jesus has called out to God in a loud voice: "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" He apparently spoke in Aramaic, as He usually did. Here He is quoted using a version of the Hebrew name for God, which is "Eloi." He was clearly quoting Psalm 22:1, which says, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:35–46). This was either Jesus quoting the Old Testament to declare its prophesy, or crying out in anguish, or both. What He is experiencing is part of God's ultimate plan (Matthew 26:53–54) but is also agonizing and brutal (Matthew 26:38–44).

Some of those standing nearby misunderstood what Jesus had said. They heard "Eli" and believed Jesus was calling "Elijah" instead of God the Father. It's possible they thought Jesus was calling the powerful prophet Elijah to come and save Him now. Enemies who have been taunting Jesus used that as part of their abuse: that He ought to save Himself, or have God rescue Him, if He really was who He claimed to be.

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.

Accessed 5/1/2024 11:16:03 AM