Mark 15:35 - Some of those who stood by, when they heard it, said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.”
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What does "Mark 15:35" mean?
Mark 15:35 describes a moment during Jesus' crucifixion. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Context: Jesus has been on the cross for a significant period and has just cried out in Aramaic, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which translates to "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
"Some of those who stood by..." These were likely Roman soldiers, passersby, and perhaps some onlookers who had been mocking or observing the crucifixion.
"...when they heard it, said, 'Behold, he is calling Elijah.'" This is the key part and has several possible interpretations:
Misunderstanding/Mistranslation: Jesus' cry of "Eloi, Eloi" sounded similar to "Elijah" to some ears, especially if they didn't speak Aramaic fluently or were only hearing fragments of the cry. The Aramaic word "Eli" (my God) could have sounded like "Elijah" (Eli-yah).
Mockery: Knowing that Jewish tradition held that Elijah would come to rescue those in dire need, they could have been sarcastically suggesting that Jesus was now resorting to calling for divine intervention, implying that he was powerless and desperate. This is a more common and likely interpretation. They were twisting his words and faith to further humiliate him.
Genuine Belief (Less Likely): While less probable, it's possible that some truly believed he was calling for Elijah, reflecting a superstitious or naive understanding of Jewish beliefs about the Messiah. They might have expected Elijah to appear and rescue him.
In summary:
The verse likely reflects a combination of factors: a possible misinterpretation of Jesus' words, and more significantly, an act of mockery by those watching his suffering. They seized on a perceived similarity in sound to a familiar name, Elijah, to further ridicule and belittle Jesus in his moment of agony. It underscores the hostile and unbelieving atmosphere surrounding the crucifixion.
Mark 15:35 - Some of those who stood by, when they heard it, said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.”
What does "Mark 15:35" mean?
Mark 15:35 describes a moment during Jesus' crucifixion. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Context: Jesus has been on the cross for a significant period and has just cried out in Aramaic, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which translates to "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
"Some of those who stood by..." These were likely Roman soldiers, passersby, and perhaps some onlookers who had been mocking or observing the crucifixion.
"...when they heard it, said, 'Behold, he is calling Elijah.'" This is the key part and has several possible interpretations:
Misunderstanding/Mistranslation: Jesus' cry of "Eloi, Eloi" sounded similar to "Elijah" to some ears, especially if they didn't speak Aramaic fluently or were only hearing fragments of the cry. The Aramaic word "Eli" (my God) could have sounded like "Elijah" (Eli-yah).
Mockery: Knowing that Jewish tradition held that Elijah would come to rescue those in dire need, they could have been sarcastically suggesting that Jesus was now resorting to calling for divine intervention, implying that he was powerless and desperate. This is a more common and likely interpretation. They were twisting his words and faith to further humiliate him.
Genuine Belief (Less Likely): While less probable, it's possible that some truly believed he was calling for Elijah, reflecting a superstitious or naive understanding of Jewish beliefs about the Messiah. They might have expected Elijah to appear and rescue him.
In summary:
The verse likely reflects a combination of factors: a possible misinterpretation of Jesus' words, and more significantly, an act of mockery by those watching his suffering. They seized on a perceived similarity in sound to a familiar name, Elijah, to further ridicule and belittle Jesus in his moment of agony. It underscores the hostile and unbelieving atmosphere surrounding the crucifixion.