Breakdown of Matthew 27:39-40

"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.”" — It's easy to overlook the casual cruelty in "wagging their heads," but this wasn't just a passing glance; it was a public, dismissive gesture, a silent insult from those who couldn't even be bothered…

Matthew 27:39-40 Meaning Explained

All verses

Matthew 27:39-40

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)

It's easy to overlook the casual cruelty in "wagging their heads," but this wasn't just a passing glance; it was a public, dismissive gesture, a silent insult from those who couldn't even be bothered to stop. Their derision highlights how easily people reject God's suffering servant, preferring to mock rather than understand the profound sacrifice being made.

What Matthew 27:39-40 means

As Jesus hangs on the cross, suffering a brutal public execution, crowds gather and mock Him. The religious leaders, scribes, and even passersby join in the taunts, challenging Him to come down from the cross if He is truly the King of Israel or the Son of God. This scene of derision fulfills ancient prophecies and highlights the profound irony of the world rejecting the very King they claimed to want, especially when His path to saving them involved suffering.

The Public Stage of Suffering

Jesus' crucifixion wasn't hidden away. It happened right by a busy road. Why was his suffering so public?

The Gospel writers make it clear that Jesus' cross was placed near a major thoroughfare. People weren't just passing by; they were stopping, looking, and engaging in the spectacle. This wasn't a private tragedy but a public declaration. The shame and mockery were amplified because they happened in full view of ordinary people going about their day. This public stage highlights the immense weight of sin He was bearing for all to see, and the rejection He faced not just from religious leaders, but from the everyday crowd.

The Meaning of a Wagging Head

The phrase 'wagging their heads' might seem like a minor detail. What does this gesture truly communicate about the onlookers' attitude?

The gesture of 'wagging their heads' was a clear sign of contempt, mockery, and derision. It wasn't just idle curiosity; it was active insult. Imagine people shaking their heads in disbelief and scorn, pointing and jeering at the man on the cross. This specific action, described multiple times in the Psalms concerning the suffering of God's anointed, demonstrates a profound lack of empathy and a malicious delight in Jesus' misery. They were not only dismissing Him but actively reviling Him with this gesture.

Ask a follow-up

Ask Sola about this verse

Ask Sola things like:

“What does "derided" mean in the original Greek?”
“Why did Matthew the apostle, traditionally understood write Matthew 27:39-40?”
“How does public scorn and mockery show up in Matthew 27:39-40?”

Ask in the Sola app Get the app

Live chat about Matthew 27:39-40 is available in the Sola app.

This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.

What Matthew 27:39-40 means

Ask Sola about this verse

Ask Sola things like:

“What does "derided" mean in the original Greek?”
“Why did Matthew the apostle, traditionally understood write Matthew 27:39-40?”
“How does public scorn and mockery show up in Matthew 27:39-40?”

Ask in the Sola app Get the app

Live chat about Matthew 27:39-40 is available in the Sola app.

What Matthew 27:39-40 means

The Public Stage of Suffering

The Meaning of a Wagging Head

Ask Sola about this verse

What Matthew 27:39-40 means

The Public Stage of Suffering

The Meaning of a Wagging Head

Ask Sola about this verse

Silent Suffering Meets Loud Scorn

Original language

Historical context

Historical background

Key themes

Cross-references

Scholarly commentary

Frequently asked questions

Study this verse in Sola