Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 27:49

"And the rest said, Let be; let us see whether Elijah cometh to save him." — Matthew 27:49 (ASV)

Let us see whether Elijah will come—Here again we have eager expectation rather than derision. Was the great and dreadful day (Malachi 4:5) about to burst upon them? Would the long-expected prophet finally appear? To minds stretched with such anticipation, the act with the sponge and vinegar would seem like an unworthy interruption to the climax of the great drama they were witnessing.