The answer is: Elijah

Mark 15:35

When Jesus hung on the cross, His words were met with confusion by the onlookers. According to Mark 15:35, they heard Him cry out and mistakenly thought He was calling for Elijah. This little detail reveals a fascinating insight into the Jewish context of the time. Elijah, you see, was a figure steeped in prophetic significance and had a reputation for being someone who could deliver in times of dire need.

Traditionally, many believed that Elijah would return to earth to help in crises or even before the coming of the Messiah. The mention of his name during the crucifixion sets up a dramatic contrast. Jesus—who Christians regard as the Messiah—was in the lowest point of His existence, abandoned and suffering, while the expectation of a savior was floating amidst the crowd. Little did they realize that Jesus himself was fulfilling a far greater purpose at that moment, as the events of his crucifixion and death would soon show.

Interestingly, Jewish families still honor Elijah during Passover by leaving a glass of wine and setting a place for him at the table, hoping for his return. This echoes throughout scripture, merging themes of hope, deliverance, and divine presence even in moments of despair. It calls back to those essential prophecies and expectations—making the cross not just an end, but a transformative beginning in the larger narrative of faith and redemption.