Matthew 27:40 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross."

NIV: and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"

NASB: and saying, 'You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.'

CSB: and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!"

NLT: Look at you now!' they yelled at him. 'You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!'

KJV: And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

NKJV: and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

Those throwing these insults at Jesus as they walked past His cross (Matthew 27:35–39) likely had no knowledge about Jesus' middle-of-the-night trial before the Sanhedrin. He had been accused there of saying that He would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days (Matthew 26:59–62). They were more likely aware of when Jesus made His actual statement after driving away corrupt businessmen (Matthew 21:12–17; John 2:13–22). John clarifies that Jesus was talking about His own body: they would destroy it, but in three days, He would be resurrected and make that promise true.

Others refer to Jesus' claim to be the Son of God (Matthew 14:43), something He had said in public, but which also came up in His sham trial the night before (Matthew 26:63). The religious leaders who stood by to watch the execution (Matthew 27:41, 43) may have inspired others to point out this irony.

Strikingly, some of Jesus' roadside mockers also use the same basic approach taken by Satan while tempting Jesus in the wilderness. Satan said, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread" (Matthew 4:3) and "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down" (Matthew 4:6). Now those who taunt Jesus on the cross offer the same temptation, "If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross."

How fearsome it would have been if Jesus had suddenly used His power to miraculously revive Himself, come off the cross, and strike down His enemies. Modern readers should be awed by His powers of self-control, in submission to the Father, not to do that (Matthew 26:53–54). His purpose was to make complete God's plan for bringing salvation to all people (Philippians 2:8).

Matthew 27:32–44 describes Jesus' march to the cross, aided by a man named Simon of Cyrene. Jesus is offered a numbing, bitter wine, but refuses it, and is nailed to the cross. Soldiers gamble for His clothes. A somewhat sarcastic sign above Him reads "the King of the Jews." Observers, including several Jewish religious leaders, mock Jesus for not being able to save Himself. Even the criminals being executed on either side of Jesus insult Him. Mark 15:20–32, Luke 23:36–43, and John 19:16–27 cover this same process.

When Judas learns Jesus has been condemned, he regrets betraying the Lord. He throws down his ill-gotten money and hangs himself. Jesus is taken to Pilate, who finds nothing to charge Him with. Given the choice, the people shout for the release of a convicted murderer and insist on Jesus' death. Jesus is mocked by a battalion of soldiers and then taken to be crucified. On the cross, He is mocked for not being able to save Himself. After three hours of darkness, Jesus dies. He is buried by a rich follower in a new tomb. This location is tightly guarded to prevent anyone from stealing the body.

Matthew 27 begins with an official meeting of the Jewish ruling council. They affirm Jesus' condemnation from the previous night, described in chapter 26. Judas confesses his betrayal and hangs himself. Pilate tries to release Jesus, but the mob shouts for Jesus to be crucified. Jesus is humiliated by Roman soldiers and marched to be executed. On the cross, He is mocked by Jewish religious leaders and others. He dies and is buried in a never-used tomb. Extensive efforts to secure His body from being stolen only serve to prove the miraculous nature of His resurrection, which is detailed in chapter 28.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.