New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 27:40

The Crucifixion

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!” Matthew 27:40 · Berean Standard Bible

What It Means

Matthew 27:40, in plain English

They mock: You said You could destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days — so save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!

Why it's here

These are the same words the devil used to tempt Jesus in the wilderness: if You are the Son of God. The cross is the final temptation — and Jesus will not give in.

Who's speaking

The passersby throw taunts and challenges at Jesus as He hangs on the cross.

Where it sits in the story

They think they are exposing a fraud. They do not realize they are witnessing the greatest act of love in history — He stays on the cross because saving Himself would mean not saving them.

A Closer Look

The scholar's commentary

The mockers throw His temple statement back at Him and challenge Him to save Himself by coming down from the cross, adding 'if You are the Son of God' — echoing Satan's wilderness temptation (4:3, 6).

Language and setting

The phrase 'if You are the Son of God' directly parallels the devil's temptations in Matthew 4. Calvary is thus framed as a final temptation — to use divine power for self-preservation rather than redemptive suffering.

Voice

The passersby taunt Jesus with His own words and challenge His divine identity.

Significance

The crowd echoes the devil's exact words, presenting the same temptation at the cross that was offered in the wilderness: save Yourself instead of saving the world.

In context

Matthew 27:38–42

38Two robbers were crucified with Him, one on His right and the other on His left.

39And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads

40and 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!”

41In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying,

42“He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him.

Read all of Matthew 27 — The climax of the story. Every thread — sacrifice, covenant, prophecy, promise — converges at a cross outside Jerusalem.

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