Devine Scripture

Mark 15:35

What does Mark 15:35 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 15:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 15:35 means

Some bystanders misunderstand Jesus’ cry and think he is calling for Elijah. Their interpretation reflects literal hearing without grasping the Psalmic allusion. This shows both the confusion at the cross and the clustering of Old Testament expectation about prophetic intervention. The response highlights the distance between Jesus’ purposeful suffering and the onlookers’ expectations of miraculous rescue, and it sets up the failed attempt to give him a drink in verse 36 as they test whether Elijah would come.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elijah.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elijah.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And some of those who were near, hearing it, said, See, he is crying to Elijah.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And certain of those standing by, having heard, said, `Lo, Elijah he doth call;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And some of the standers by hearing, said: Behold he calleth Elias.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And some of those who stood by, when they heard [it], said, Behold, he calls for Elias.

Context

This reaction follows Jesus’ Psalm-quotation. The bystanders’ suggestion that he calls for Elijah diagnoses their confusion: they hear words but miss meaning. Their misunderstanding leads to someone acting—bringing vinegar—though their motive is curiosity or mockery rather than faith. This deepens the tragic misreading of the event.

v.34And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

v.35This passage

v.36And one ran, and filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let be; let us see whether Elijah cometh to take him down.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 27:47

    And some of them that stood there, when they heard it, said, This man calleth Elijah.

  • Matthew 17:11

    And he answered and said, Elijah indeed cometh, and shall restore all things:

  • Mark 9:11

    And they asked him, saying, How is it that the scribes say that Elijah must first come?

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