Matthew 27:47

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 27:47 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And some of them stood there, when they heard it, said, This man calleth Elijah.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And some of them stood there, when they heard it, said, This man calleth Elijah.
Matthew 27:47 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 27

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
47And some of them stood there, when they heard it, said, This man calleth Elijah.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Some of them that stood there, etc.] Near the cross, looking on, and mocking at him, when they heard that; the words, “Eli, Eli”, spoken by Christ, said, this man calleth for Elias. These could not be the Roman soldiers that said so, who had no notion of Elias; rather the Hellenistic Jews, who not so well understanding the Hebrew language, hearing the above words, and having some notion of the prophet Elias, fancied he was calling for him; though it seems most likely to be the Jews, who either through the nearness of the sound of the words, and mistake of them, and not near enough to hear and distinguish them, really thought he called for that prophet; or rather wilfully mistook him, with an…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“This man calleth for Elias - This was done purposely to deride him and his pretensions to be the Messiah. The words “Eli, Eli,” they might easily pretend that they understood to mean Elias, or so pervert them. The taunt would be more cutting, because it was the universal belief of the Jews, as well as the doctrine of Christ, that “Elias” would come before the Messiah. They derided him now, as calling upon “Elias” when God would not help him; still keeping up the pretensions to being the Messiah, and invoking “Elijah” to come from the dead to aid him. Or it is possible that this might have been said by some bystanders who did not understand the language in which he spoke, or who might not…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“27:47 It was widely believed that Elijah would return before the day of the Lord (11:14-15; 17:10-13; Mal 4:5).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“This: Mat 11:14; Mal 4:5; Mar 15:35, Mar 15:36 Matthew 27:48”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification