In what ways does Matthew 27:49 connect to Psalm 22's depiction of suffering? Setting the Scene • Matthew 27 sets Jesus on the cross, surrounded by on-lookers who interpret His suffering through their own expectations. • Psalm 22, written a millennium earlier, gives a prophetic description of a righteous sufferer whose agony and vindication anticipate Messiah’s passion. Matthew 27:49—The Mocking Crowd “ But the others said, ‘Leave Him alone. Let us see if Elijah comes to save Him.’ ” (Matthew 27:49) • Bystanders misread Jesus’ cry of “Eli, Eli” (v. 46) as a call for Elijah. • Their taunt reveals unbelief: they will believe only if an outward sign of rescue appears. • The words drip with sarcasm—“let’s wait and see”—mirroring the contempt foretold in Psalm 22. Psalm 22—A Prophetic Portrait Psalm 22:8: “He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD deliver him; let the LORD rescue him, since He delights in him!” • The psalmist is mocked for his confidence in God. • Enemies question whether God will intervene, just as the crowd questions whether Elijah will. Direct Points of Connection • Mockery of Deliverance – Psalm 22:8: “let the LORD deliver him.” – Matthew 27:49: “let us see if Elijah comes to save Him.” – Same sneer, different wording; both doubt divine rescue. • Waiting to See Proof – Psalm 22’s scoffers demand visible evidence of God’s favor. – Matthew’s crowd suspends judgment until Elijah appears, refusing to believe without spectacle. • Continuity of Rejection – Psalm 22:7 describes onlookers who “shake the head.” Matthew 27:39 notes passersby “wagging their heads,” bracketing the same scene of ridicule. Optional Variant: The Spear and the Piercing Some manuscripts of Matthew 27:49 contain an additional clause: “and immediately one of them ran and took a spear and pierced His side, and water and blood came out.” • Whether that clause belongs to Matthew or not, John 19:34 records the piercing. • Psalm 22:16: “they pierce my hands and feet.” • The physical wound matches the psalm’s prophetic detail, reinforcing that every aspect of Jesus’ suffering fulfills Scripture literally. Why the Connection Matters • Fulfilled prophecy authenticates Jesus as the promised Messiah (Luke 24:25-27). • The identical ridicule in both passages underscores that God foreknew and foretold every moment of the crucifixion. • Believers gain confidence: what was written came to pass; what is written yet to come will also be realized (Revelation 1:7). Key Takeaways • Matthew 27:49 is not an isolated taunt; it is the living echo of Psalm 22’s mockery. • The crowd’s challenge—“let Elijah save Him”—fulfills the psalm’s prediction of scoffers questioning divine rescue. • Every detail, from verbal abuse to possible piercing, shows Christ’s suffering happened “in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). |
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