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

MATTHEW 27:47KJV
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Matthew 27:47 (KJV)

What does Matthew 27:47 mean?

Matthew 27:47 describes how some people standing near Jesus as He was crucified misunderstood His cry from the cross, thinking He was calling for "Elias" (Elijah). These bystanders heard Jesus and assumed He was asking for Elijah to come help Him.

The scene takes place during Jesus’s crucifixion, with a crowd gathered around. Jesus had just cried out loudly, quoting a psalm in Aramaic, and those nearby misheard or misinterpreted His words. In Jewish tradition, Elijah was expected to return and help the righteous, so the crowd’s comment shows both confusion and a hint of expectation about what might happen next.

The Greek behind Matthew 27:47

  • "Elias" (Ἠλίας, Ēlias): This is the Greek form of "Elijah," the Old Testament prophet. The crowd’s mention of Elijah reflects a Jewish belief that Elijah would come to help in times of need or at the end of the age.
  • "Heard" (ἤκουσαν, ēkousan): This word means to hear or listen. The verse emphasizes that the bystanders reacted based on what they thought they heard, not necessarily what Jesus actually said.
  • "Said" (εἶπαν, eipan): This is the word for "said" or "they said," showing the crowd’s immediate response to what they perceived.

Why Matthew 27:47 matters

  • This verse highlights a misunderstanding at the cross, showing how even those present did not fully grasp what Jesus was saying or experiencing.
  • The mention of Elijah connects to Jewish hopes and prophecies, revealing the crowd’s expectations and confusion about Jesus’s identity and mission.
  • Matthew 27:47 sets up the following verses, where the crowd continues to watch, wondering if Elijah will actually appear, adding tension and anticipation to the crucifixion narrative.

Where else these words appear

“Elias” Greek G2243 · used in 30 verses

  • Matthew 11:14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
  • Mark 8:28 And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.
  • Luke 4:26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.

“for” Greek G5455 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 20:32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
  • Luke 8:54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.
  • John 9:18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.

“there” Greek G1563 · used in 98 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Mark 6:10 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.
  • John 6:22 The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;