Keraia
Mark 15

Mark 15:36

The Death of Jesus · Mark 15:33–41
Read Mark 15

Translations

Modern
And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine. He put it on a reed and held it up for Jesus to drink, saying, “Leave Him alone. Let us see if Elijah comes to take Him down.”
Traditional
And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.
Literal
And one, having run and having filled a sponge with vinegar, having put it on a reed, gave Him to drink, saying, “Let Him be; let us see if Elijah comes to take Him down.”
Latin
Currens autem unus, et implens spongiam aceto, circumponensque calamo, potum dabat ei, dicens: Sinite, videamus si veniat Elias ad deponendum eum.

Original

Greek
English
And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine. He put it on a reed and held it up for Jesus to drink, saying, “Leave Him alone. Let us see if Elijah comes to take Him down.”

Notes

Mark 15:35–36

The Aramaic word Eloi and the Hebrew form Eli (Matthew 27:46) sound similar to the name Elijah. Because of this, some people standing nearby thought Jesus was calling for the prophet Elijah to come and rescue him (see Malachi 4:5).

Mark 15:16–41

The crucifixion story is one of the most historically reliable events from ancient history. Why would the early church invent a story where its central figure died as a criminal? This story was offensive to Jews and seemed ridiculous to non-Jews (1 Corinthians 1:23).

Theme notes and profiles

Elijah The Son of God

Events

Parallels

Psalm 22:1–31 Matthew 27:45–56 Luke 23:44–49 John 19:28–30

People

Elijah: A prophet during the reigns of Ahab and Ahaziah

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Crucifixion Gospel Mark, Gospel of Passion Reed Sorghum Sponge

Topics

Death: Scenes of Death of Jesus Jesus, the Christ: Crucified (Just Outside Jerusalem) Sponge: General Scriptures Concerning