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.

Where else these words appear

“cried” Greek G2896 · used in 58 verses

  • Matthew 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
  • Mark 15:13 And they cried out again, Crucify him.
  • Acts 19:34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

“voice” Greek G5456 · used in 129 verses

  • Matthew 2:18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
  • John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
  • Revelation 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

“up” Greek G863 · used in 133 verses

  • Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
  • Mark 2:7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
  • Luke 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

“again” Greek G3825 · used in 138 verses

  • Matthew 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
  • John 4:46 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.
  • Acts 11:10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.