What does the crowd's reaction in Matthew 27:49 reveal about their understanding of Jesus? Setting the scene Jesus hangs on the cross outside Jerusalem. Moments earlier He cried out, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (Matthew 27:46), quoting Psalm 22:1. Some bystanders misunderstand the Aramaic “Eli” (“My God”) as a call for Elijah. Matthew 27:49—The Verse Itself “But the others said, ‘Leave Him alone. Let us see if Elijah comes to save Him.’” The cry misheard • “Eli” sounds like “Elijah” in Hebrew-Aramaic pronunciation. • The crowd jumps to a conclusion instead of listening carefully to Jesus’ actual words. • Their reaction shows more interest in spectacle than in the suffering Savior fulfilling Scripture (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53). Why Elijah? • Malachi 4:5 promised Elijah’s appearance “before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.” • Jewish tradition held that Elijah, taken to heaven alive (2 Kings 2:11), could reappear to rescue the righteous. • Earlier Jesus identified John the Baptist as the promised “Elijah” (Matthew 11:14; 17:10-12), yet most people missed that fulfillment. What the crowd’s reaction reveals • Shallow curiosity: They treat the crucifixion like street entertainment—“Let us see.” • Misplaced hope: They expect a prophet to descend, not realizing the Prophet-Messiah is already before them (Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 3:22-23). • Unbelief: Their words imply Jesus cannot save Himself; He must wait on another. • Spiritual blindness: They miss Psalm 22’s prophecy unfolding in real time. • Rejection of Jesus’ divine identity: Instead of calling Him Lord or Messiah, they dismiss Him as a helpless victim. The irony the crowd missed • Elijah had “come” in John the Baptist (Matthew 17:12), and was rejected—just as they were now rejecting the One John announced. • They ask if Elijah will “save” Jesus, while Jesus is in the very act of saving them (Romans 5:8). • They want to witness a sign; the greatest sign—His sacrificial death and impending resurrection—happens before their eyes (1 Corinthians 2:8). Takeaways for believers today • Literal events at Calvary confirm Old Testament prophecy word-for-word, underscoring Scripture’s accuracy. • Mishearing God’s Word leads to misjudging God’s Son; careful, reverent listening guards against error (Luke 8:18). • True faith embraces Jesus on His terms, not on the crowd’s terms of spectacle or proof-testing. • The cross exposes human blindness and God’s sovereign plan working simultaneously for redemption (Acts 2:23). |
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