Matthew 27:39-40
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This verse highlights that the execution wasn't a private, solemn event, but a very public spectacle for the casual passerby. The "wagging their heads" wasn't just random movement; it was a universally understood gesture of contempt and mockery, showing how openly they scorned him. It paints a stark picture of Jesus' utter public humiliation during his most vulnerable moment.
And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 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.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is hanging on the cross, already mocked by the chief priests and crowds, with two criminals crucified alongside him. As people casually passed by, many joined in the cruel taunting, shaking their heads in a gesture of utter contempt and disbelief at his claims. This public spectacle of shame and suffering, though seemingly a defeat, was itself fulfilling ancient prophecies about the Messiah.
Imagine a moment so public, so painful, that even passersby couldn't resist joining the attack. Jesus' crucifixion wasn't hidden away; it was a spectacle.
Matthew places Jesus' crucifixion on a busy thoroughfare, making it a very public event. The "they that passed by" weren't just a few onlookers; they were people going about their daily lives, drawn to the gruesome scene. This accessibility to the public underscores the depth of Jesus' humiliation. He was not only suffering the penalty for sin but was doing so as a public spectacle, open to the scorn of all.
This public nature is key to understanding the suffering. It wasn't an isolated event but a deliberate act of shame designed to broadcast Jesus' supposed failure to the world. Even those who simply passed by, perhaps on their way to or from Jerusalem, could participate in the mockery.
What does it mean to 'wag your head' in contempt? It's a gesture we still understand today, a silent but powerful expression of disdain.
The phrase 'wagging their heads' is a vivid description of contempt. It’s a physical act of scorn, a way to express disbelief and mockery without saying a word. The passersby weren't just passively observing; they were actively participating in Jesus' humiliation through this gesture.
This gesture, described in the Psalms even before Jesus' life, signifies someone looking at a situation and shaking their head in disbelief, ridicule, and often, a sense of superiority. It communicates, 'Look at this pathetic person! What a fool!' It's the silent language of the crowd turning a moment of ultimate sacrifice into a spectacle of shame.
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Understand the original words
blasphēmeō · Greek Verb
To mock, sneer, or insult someone contemptuously. It denotes both verbal abuse and an attitude of scornful superiority.
naos · Greek Noun
In biblical thought, the physical place of God’s dwelling among His people. Jesus refers to his own body as the temple, signaling a shift from a literal building to the presence of God manifested in the incarnate Christ.
huios theou · Greek Noun phrase
A title used for Jesus that indicates his divine nature, unique relationship with the Father, and messianic identity. It is often used in the Gospels as a test of his authority and divinity.
stauros · Greek Noun
A wooden structure used for Roman executions. Theologically, it represents the place where Jesus bore the curse for humanity's sin, acting as the bridge between God's holiness and mankind's need for salvation.
c. 70 BC - 30 BC
Roman Influence in Judea
The Roman Republic begins exerting significant political control over Judea, leading to the appointment of client kings like Herod the Great. This period sets the stage for Roman authority during Jesus's crucifixion.
AD 26-36
Pontius Pilate Governs Judea
Pontius Pilate serves as the Roman prefect (governor) of Judea. His authority is crucial in the events leading to and including Jesus's trial and execution.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus's Crucifixion
Jesus is crucified under the authority of Pontius Pilate. This event is the central focus, with passersby mocking and deriding him.
c. AD 30-33
Jewish Passover Festival
The crucifixion likely occurs during the Jewish Passover festival, a time of heightened religious and nationalistic fervor in Jerusalem, which would have brought many people to the city.
c. AD 30-33
Mockery and Insults at the Cross
Passersby, including Roman soldiers, Jewish leaders, and the general populace, taunt and insult Jesus as he hangs on the cross. This fulfills Old Testament prophecies.
This psalm, which Jesus himself quoted from the cross, directly describes the scene: 'All who see me mock me; they hurl insults at me; they shake their heads.'
Isaiah 53:3This prophetic passage in Isaiah paints a picture of the suffering servant who would be 'despised and rejected by mankind,' which perfectly mirrors the public scorn Jesus endured.
Lamentations 2:15This verse speaks of Jerusalem's enemies 'hissing and wagging their heads' in derision at the city's downfall, mirroring the gesture of contempt shown to Jesus.
Mark 15:29Mark's Gospel provides a parallel account, emphasizing the verbal abuse the passers-by hurled at Jesus, adding another layer to the mockery he faced.
henryMatthew 27:35-44: "And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots."
27:35-44 It was usual to put shame upon malefactors, by a writing to notify the crime for which they suffered. So they set up one over Christ's head. This they designed for his reproach, but God so overruled it, that even his accusation was to his honour. There were crucified wit…
clarkeMatthew 27:39: "And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,"
Wagging their heads - In token of contempt.
This verse highlights that the execution wasn't a private, solemn event, but a very public spectacle for the casual passerby. The "wagging their heads" wasn't just random movement; it was a universally understood gesture of contempt and mockery, showing how openly they scorned him. It paints a stark picture of Jesus' utter public humiliation during his most vulnerable moment.
Jesus is hanging on the cross, already mocked by the chief priests and crowds, with two criminals crucified alongside him. As people casually passed by, many joined in the cruel taunting, shaking their heads in a gesture of utter contempt and disbelief at his claims. This public spectacle of shame and suffering, though seemingly a defeat, was itself fulfilling ancient prophecies about the Messiah.
Jesus is hanging on the cross, already mocked by the chief priests and crowds, with two criminals crucified alongside him. As people casually passed by, many joined in the cruel taunting, shaking their heads in a gesture of utter contempt and disbelief at his claims. This public spectacle of shame and suffering, though seemingly a defeat, was itself fulfilling ancient prophecies about the Messiah.
"And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 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.”" — This verse highlights that the execution wasn't a private, solemn event, but a very public spectacle for the casual passerby. The "wagging their heads" wasn't just random movement; it was a universal…
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Last reviewed October 2026
