The rulers' taunt, "He saved others; let him save himself," is an unconscious echo of Caiaphas's infamous prophecy that Jesus would die for the nation. Their scorn reveals a deep-seated disbelief that God's Chosen One would endure such a humiliating death, missing the very point of Jesus' mission.
And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Jesus hangs on the cross, a crowd gathers, with the religious rulers standing among them, filled with contempt. They mock Jesus, taunting him to save himself if he truly is God's chosen Christ, challenging his claims to power while he suffers this agonizing death. This scene unfolds during Jesus' crucifixion, setting the stage for his final moments and the contrasting reactions to his suffering.
The scene at the cross is often painted with a singular tone of hostility. But what does the text actually say about the crowd?
While the rulers actively mocked Jesus, the text distinguishes the people's reaction. They 'stood by, watching.' This wasn't necessarily a unified, hostile crowd.
A Divided Response
The rulers' taunts sound sharp and logical at first glance. But what dangerous twist did they put on reality?
The rulers threw Jesus' own actions back at him, twisting his identity and mission. 'He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!'
The Core of Their Mockery:
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Understand the original words
Christos · Greek Noun
The title 'Anointed One,' referring to the promised deliverer of Israel whom God designated to serve as Prophet, Priest, and King.
eklektos · Greek Adjective
One whom God has selected or set apart for a specific divine purpose or ministry, frequently applied to Jesus in His messianic role.
empaizō · Greek Verb
To treat with contempt or ridicule, often directed at God's messengers or the Messiah, reflecting the spiritual blindness of those who oppose God's kingdom.
oxos · Greek Noun
A common, cheap, acidic wine or vinegar drink (posca) consumed by Roman soldiers, offered to Jesus as a final act of derision during the crucifixion.
The rulers' taunts at the cross highlight their rejection of Jesus' messiahship, ironically pointing to his saving works while failing to recognize his divinely appointed path to salvation through suffering.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus' Crucifixion
Jesus is crucified in Jerusalem under the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, alongside two other condemned criminals.
c. AD 30
Mockery at the Cross
While Jesus hangs on the cross, various groups, including Roman soldiers and Jewish rulers, taunt and ridicule him, challenging his claims to be the Christ.
c. AD 30
The Penitent Thief
One of the criminals crucified with Jesus repents and asks Jesus to remember him, receiving assurance of salvation.
c. AD 30
Jesus Commits His Spirit
Jesus entrusts his spirit to God the Father before dying on the cross.
c. AD 30
Supernatural Events
The sun is darkened, and a violent earthquake shakes the land at the moment of Jesus' death.
c. AD 30
Centurion's Confession
The Roman centurion in charge of the execution, witnessing the events, declares, 'Certainly this was a righteous man.'
This ancient psalm speaks of a suffering servant who is mocked and scorned, even as onlookers say, 'He trusted in the LORD; let him deliver him, let him rescue him, if he takes delight in him!' This passage deeply foreshadows the very taunts leveled against Jesus on the cross.
Matthew 27:41-43Matthew provides a parallel account of the rulers and even the passers-by mocking Jesus with the same challenge: 'He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe him.' This highlights the shared disbelief and scorn from those in authority.
John 11:50The high priest Caiaphas, speaking unwisely, declared that it was expedient for one man to die for the people, 'that the whole nation should not perish.' While he meant it for evil, the rulers' taunts ironically echo this, as Jesus *is* dying for many, though they twist his saving actions into a reason for their mockery.
1 Peter 2:4Peter calls Jesus the 'living stone' chosen by God and precious. This directly connects to the rulers' scornful challenge, 'if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One,' which dismisses Jesus' divine identity precisely because he is enduring suffering rather than demonstrating power.
vincentLuke 23:35: "And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God."
BeholdingSee on Luke 10:18.ScoffedSee on Luke 16:14.If heThe A. V. does not give the contemptuous emphasis on οὗτος, this fellow.
barnesLuke 23:35: "And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God."
See the notes at Matthew 27:41-44 .
The rulers' taunt, "He saved others; let him save himself," is an unconscious echo of Caiaphas's infamous prophecy that Jesus would die for the nation. Their scorn reveals a deep-seated disbelief that God's Chosen One would endure such a humiliating death, missing the very point of Jesus' mission.
As Jesus hangs on the cross, a crowd gathers, with the religious rulers standing among them, filled with contempt. They mock Jesus, taunting him to save himself if he truly is God's chosen Christ, challenging his claims to power while he suffers this agonizing death. This scene unfolds during Jesus' crucifixion, setting the stage for his final moments and the contrasting reactions to his suffering.
As Jesus hangs on the cross, a crowd gathers, with the religious rulers standing among them, filled with contempt. They mock Jesus, taunting him to save himself if he truly is God's chosen Christ, challenging his claims to power while he suffers this agonizing death. This scene unfolds during Jesus' crucifixion, setting the stage for his final moments and the contrasting reactions to his suffering.
"And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine" — The rulers' taunt, "He saved others; let him save himself," is an unconscious echo of Caiaphas's infamous prophecy that Jesus would die for the nation. Their scorn reveals a deep-seated disbelief tha…
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Last reviewed October 2026
