Breakdown of Matthew 27:39-43

"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.” So also the chief priests, with the s…" — The passersby didn't just offer a quick glance; their "wagging their heads" was a deliberate, repeated gesture of contempt, a public display of mocking Jesus' claims while he hung helpless. This wasn…

Matthew 27:39-43 Meaning Explained

All verses

Matthew 27:39-43

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.” So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, “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 in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”

English Standard Version (ESV)

The passersby didn't just offer a quick glance; their "wagging their heads" was a deliberate, repeated gesture of contempt, a public display of mocking Jesus' claims while he hung helpless. This wasn't merely casual observation, but an active participation in his humiliation, fulfilling ancient prophecies that described such scorn for God's Anointed.

What Matthew 27:39-43 means

As Jesus hangs on the cross, mocked by the chief priests, scribes, elders, and even the two criminals crucified alongside him, ordinary passersby join in the ridicule. They scornfully shake their heads, a gesture of utter contempt and disbelief in his claims of kingship. This public humiliation fulfills ancient prophecies that foretold the Messiah would be treated as a transgressor and reviled.

The Gesture of Contempt

Imagine walking by a scene of immense suffering. What's the first impulse? For some, it was to mock. The "wagging of heads" wasn't just a passing glance.

The phrase 'wagging their heads' paints a vivid picture of utter disdain. This wasn't a gesture of pity or even neutral observation. It was a deliberate act of mockery, a way for people to express their contempt and scorn.

A Public Spectacle

This happened in a public place, on a thoroughfare. People passing by – likely a mix of onlookers, passersby, and perhaps even those with official business – felt free to express their derision openly. It highlights how Jesus was made a spectacle, not just for the religious leaders, but for the common crowd as well.

Silent Endurance

What's striking is Jesus's response. He remained silent under this barrage of insults. This wasn't weakness, but a profound display of self-control and adherence to His mission. He endured their scorn, just as He endured everything else, without retaliating.

More Than Just a King

The leaders mocked Jesus for claiming to be King. But what did 'King' even mean in their eyes, and why was His current state such an affront to their expectations?

The chief priests, scribes, and elders didn't just mock Jesus; they specifically taunted His claim to be 'King of Israel.' This reveals a fundamental misunderstanding, or perhaps a willful rejection, of what Jesus's kingship entailed.

Expectations vs. Reality

Their taunt, 'He saved others; he can't save himself! He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe him' (Matthew 27:42), perfectly captures their earthly perspective. They expected a king to demonstrate power through earthly means – to rescue Himself from physical suffering.

The True Kingdom

Jesus's kingdom was, and is, not of this world. His power wasn't in avoiding suffering, but in enduring it for the sake of redemption. Their demand for Him to come down from the cross was a call for Him to abandon His redemptive mission, the very reason He came. It’s a stark reminder that true kingship, true power, often looks very different from human expectations.

Understand the original words

Original language

deridedβλασφημέω

blasphēmeō · Greek Verb

To mock, sneer, or insult someone contemptuously. It denotes both verbal abuse and an attitude of scornful superiority.

templeναός

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.

Son of Godυἱός θεοῦ

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.

crossσταυρός

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.

Historical context

Written: Likely the mid-50s to early 60s AD
Author: Matthew the Apostle, traditionally understood as one of Jesus' twelve disciples
Location: Written from Galilee or Antioch, concerning events in Jerusalem
Genre: Gospel narrative, featuring a fulfillment formula to connect Old Testament prophecy with Jesus' life

Historical background

The public nature of crucifixions meant Jesus' suffering was a spectacle, and the passersby's derision, a common gesture of contempt, highlights the intense public humiliation he endured.

c. 30 AD— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus is crucified by Roman authorities on Golgotha, a prominent execution site near Jerusalem, during the Passover festival. This event is the central focus of the Gospel narratives.
c. 30 AD
Public Spectacle of Crucifixion
Crucifixions were public spectacles intended to deter crime and display Roman power. The site of Jesus' crucifixion was near a busy road, allowing many to witness and react to the event.
c. 30 AD
Mockery and Derision
Bystanders, including passersby, religious leaders, and the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus, verbally mocked and insulted him. This fulfilled ancient prophecies about the suffering Messiah.
c. 30 AD
Gestures of Contempt
The gesture of 'wagging their heads' was a common expression of scorn, insult, and malicious joy in the ancient world, signifying derision and disbelief.

Key themes

01Public mockery endured
02Contempt for the suffering
03Fulfillment of prophecy

Cross-references

Psalm 22:7

This Psalm directly prophesies the mockery Jesus faced, stating, 'All who see me mock me; they make their lips point at me; they shake their heads.'

Isaiah 53:3

This passage foretells the rejection and scorn the suffering servant would endure, describing him as 'despised and rejected by men,' which perfectly echoes the crowd's reaction.

Lamentations 2:15

This verse describes a similar scene of public mockery and scorn directed at Jerusalem, noting that 'all who pass you clap their hands at you; they hiss, they wag their heads.'

Matthew 27:41-42

These verses immediately following show the specific words of derision from the chief priests, scribes, and elders, highlighting the intelligent mockery that accompanied the physical gesture of head-shaking.

Scholarly commentary

Matthew 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…
henry

Matthew 27:39: "And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,"

Wagging their heads - In token of contempt.
clarke

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What Matthew 27:39-43 means

Original language

deridedβλασφημέω

blasphēmeō · Greek Verb

To mock, sneer, or insult someone contemptuously. It denotes both verbal abuse and an attitude of scornful superiority.

templeναός

naos · Greek Noun

Son of Godυἱός θεοῦ

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.

crossσταυρός

stauros · Greek Noun

Historical context

Written: Likely the mid-50s to early 60s AD
Author: Matthew the Apostle, traditionally understood as one of Jesus' twelve disciples
Location: Written from Galilee or Antioch, concerning events in Jerusalem
Genre: Gospel narrative, featuring a fulfillment formula to connect Old Testament prophecy with Jesus' life

Historical background

The public nature of crucifixions meant Jesus' suffering was a spectacle, and the passersby's derision, a common gesture of contempt, highlights the intense public humiliation he endured.

c. 30 AD— this verse

Crucifixion of Jesus

Jesus is crucified by Roman authorities on Golgotha, a prominent execution site near Jerusalem, during the Passover festival. This event is the central focus of the Gospel narratives.

c. 30 AD

Public Spectacle of Crucifixion

Crucifixions were public spectacles intended to deter crime and display Roman power. The site of Jesus' crucifixion was near a busy road, allowing many to witness and react to the event.

c. 30 AD

Mockery and Derision

Bystanders, including passersby, religious leaders, and the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus, verbally mocked and insulted him. This fulfilled ancient prophecies about the suffering Messiah.

c. 30 AD

Gestures of Contempt

The gesture of 'wagging their heads' was a common expression of scorn, insult, and malicious joy in the ancient world, signifying derision and disbelief.

Scholarly commentary

Matthew 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…
henry

Matthew 27:39: "And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,"

Wagging their heads - In token of contempt.
clarke

Frequently asked questions

What does Matthew 27:39-43 mean?

Explain the meaning of Matthew 27:39-43

What is the context of Matthew 27:39-43?

Ask Sola about this verse

Ask Sola things like:

“What does "derided" mean in the original Greek?”
“Why did Matthew the Apostle, traditionally understood as one of Jesus' twelve disciples write Matthew 27:39-43?”
“How does public mockery endured show up in Matthew 27:39-43?”

Ask in the Sola app Get the app

Live chat about Matthew 27:39-43 is available in the Sola app.