But the others said,
This phrase indicates a group of bystanders or onlookers at the crucifixion scene. The "others" likely refers to those who were not directly involved in the crucifixion but were present to witness the event. This reflects the public nature of Roman executions, which were intended to serve as a deterrent and were often attended by various groups, including curious onlookers and those who mocked the condemned.

“Leave Him alone.
This command suggests a moment of hesitation or curiosity among the crowd. It implies that some individuals were interested in seeing what might happen next, rather than immediately dismissing Jesus' cries. This reflects the tension between mockery and genuine curiosity about Jesus' identity and the claims surrounding Him.

Let us see if Elijah comes to save Him.”
The reference to Elijah is significant in Jewish eschatological expectations. Elijah was a revered prophet who, according to 2 Kings 2:11, was taken up to heaven without dying. Jewish tradition held that Elijah would return before the coming of the Messiah (Malachi 4:5-6). The crowd's statement is both mocking and rooted in a misunderstanding of Jesus' earlier cry, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" (Matthew 27:46), which they misheard as a call for Elijah. This reflects a common theme in the Gospels where Jesus' true identity and mission are misunderstood by those around Him. The mention of Elijah also connects to the broader theme of prophetic fulfillment and the expectation of divine intervention, which is a recurring motif in the narrative of Jesus' life and ministry.

1. Jesus Christ
Central figure of the New Testament, the Son of God, who is being crucified at this moment.

2. Bystanders/Crowd
The people present at the crucifixion, some of whom mock Jesus and misunderstand His cry.

3. Elijah
A prophet from the Old Testament, whom the bystanders mistakenly think Jesus is calling for.

4. Golgotha
The place where Jesus was crucified, also known as "The Place of the Skull."

5. Roman Soldiers
The executors of the crucifixion, who are also part of the crowd observing Jesus.Misunderstanding of Jesus' Mission
The crowd's expectation of Elijah reflects a misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and the nature of His kingdom. We must seek to understand Jesus' true purpose through Scripture.

Fulfillment of Prophecy
Jesus' crucifixion fulfills numerous Old Testament prophecies, affirming the reliability of God's Word. We should study these prophecies to strengthen our faith.

The Mockery of the World
The mockery Jesus faced is a reminder that the world often misunderstands and ridicules the things of God. As believers, we should be prepared to face similar misunderstandings.

The Role of Suffering
Jesus' suffering was part of God's redemptive plan. Our own suffering can also have a purpose in God's plan, and we should seek His guidance in those times.

Hope in God's Deliverance
The crowd's expectation of Elijah's intervention shows a hope for deliverance. We should place our hope in God's ultimate deliverance through Christ.(49) Let us see whether Elias will come.--Here again we have eager expectation rather than derision. Was the "great and dreadful day" (Malachi 4:5) about to burst on them? Would the long-expected prophet at last appear? The sponge and vinegar would seem to minds thus on the stretch an unworthy interruption of the catastrophe of the great drama of which they were spectators.

Verse 49. - The rest [but the rest] said, Let be (ἄφες). This is a common expression, meaning, "Stand off!" "Be quiet!" "Soft!" The bystanders addressed the person who had presented the drink. In St. Mark the verb is in the plural, ἄφετε, that is, the giver of the drink calls upon the others to keep quiet and wait. Let as see whether Elias will come (ἔρχεται, cometh, is coming). They speak in a kind of superstitious mockery, half deriding and half believing in the possible appearance of the great prophet. Between this verse and the following, the Sinaitic, Vatican, and some other manuscripts, together with some few versions, insert a passage borrowed from John 19:34, "And another taking a spear pierced his side, and there came out water and blood." This evident interpolation has been introduced by a scribe, who deemed it expedient to rectify an omission on St. Matthew's part, and clumsily inserted it in a wrong place. It is to be rejected, not only on critical, but on historical and theological grounds, seeing that it makes the piercing of the side to precede Christ's death, and conveys the impression that it was this spear wound that cut short his life.

Parallel Commentaries ...


But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the
Οἱ (Hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

others
λοιποὶ (loipoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3062: Left, left behind, the remainder, the rest, the others. Masculine plural of a derivative of leipo; remaining ones.

said,
ἔλεγον (elegon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“Leave [Him] alone.
Ἄφες (Aphes)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 863: From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.

Let us see
ἴδωμεν (idōmen)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

if
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

Elijah
Ἠλίας (Ēlias)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2243: Elijah, the prophet. Of Hebrew origin; Helias, an Israelite.

comes
ἔρχεται (erchetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

to save
σώσων (sōsōn)
Verb - Future Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4982: To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect.

Him.”
αὐτόν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 27:49 The rest said Let him be (Matt. Mat Mt)