Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

MATTHEW 27:50KJV
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Matthew 27:50 (KJV)

What does Matthew 27:50 mean?

Matthew 27:50 describes the moment when Jesus, after crying out loudly once more while on the cross, willingly gave up his spirit and died. The verse highlights both the intensity of Jesus’ final moments and his conscious surrender to death.

In this scene, Jesus is being crucified, surrounded by Roman soldiers and onlookers, while his followers watch from a distance. The phrase “cried again with a loud voice” shows that Jesus’ last moments were marked by a powerful outcry, not quiet resignation. “Yielded up the ghost” is an old-fashioned way of saying Jesus released his spirit, emphasizing that his death was a deliberate act rather than something that simply happened to him.

The Greek behind Matthew 27:50

  • “cried” (ἐκράξεν, ekraxen): This word means to shout or cry out loudly, suggesting that Jesus’ final words were spoken with great force and emotion, not whispered or weak.
  • “loud” (μέγας, megas) and “voice” (φωνή, phōnē): Together, these words stress the strength and clarity of Jesus’ last cry, underlining that he died with a strong, purposeful declaration.
  • “yielded up” (ἀφῆκεν, aphēken): This Greek word can mean to send away, release, or let go. It suggests that Jesus actively released his spirit, rather than having it taken from him against his will.
  • “ghost” (πνεῦμα, pneuma): Literally “spirit” or “breath,” this word refers to Jesus’ life force or soul, not a ghost in the modern sense.

Why Matthew 27:50 matters

  • Matthew 27:50 makes clear that Jesus’ death was not passive; he chose the moment to release his spirit, which is a significant detail in the story of the crucifixion.
  • The verse’s focus on Jesus’ loud cry and deliberate surrender highlights his control and purpose, even in death, which connects to earlier statements Jesus made about laying down his life willingly.
  • This moment sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow in Matthew’s account, such as the tearing of the temple curtain, showing that Jesus’ death has immediate and far-reaching effects.