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 taunt "if he will have him" carries a subtle, biting twist: it questions not just God's ability to deliver, but His desire or pleasure in Jesus, directly challenging Jesus' claim to be God's Son. This implies that if God truly delighted in Him, He would certainly intervene right then.
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)
As Jesus hangs dying on the cross, those who had gathered to mock him continue their taunts, including the chief priests and scribes. They challenge him to come down from the cross, quoting from Psalm 22:8 and twisting his own words about being the Son of God into a weapon against him. This exchange escalates the mockery, highlighting the profound irony of their disbelief in the face of his ultimate sacrifice.
Imagine hearing your deepest identity twisted into an insult. That's exactly what the enemies of Jesus did.
The taunts hurled at Jesus on the cross weren't just random insults; they were a twisted fulfillment of prophecy.
A Scripted Mockery
The chief priests, scribes, and elders, along with the passers-by, hurled specific accusations at Jesus: "He saved others; himself he cannot save" (v. 42) and "He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God’" (v. 43).
These words echo Psalm 22, a psalm widely recognized as Messianic. The enemies of Jesus, likely without realizing it, were quoting words of suffering that pointed directly to the Messiah they rejected.
Unconscious Witnesses
It's incredible to see how these religious leaders, in their malice, were unknowingly fulfilling ancient Scripture. They used Jesus' own claims of divinity against him, but in doing so, they inadvertently confirmed his identity as the promised Messiah, whose suffering was foretold.
The phrase 'if he desires him' might sound like a casual suggestion, but it carries a profound theological weight in this moment.
When Jesus' accusers sneer, 'let God deliver him now, if he desires him' (v. 43), they're not just questioning God's willingness to act. They're tapping into a deeper understanding of divine relationship.
Divine Favor and Will
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The Greek word translated as 'desires' or 'will have him' speaks of delight, favor, and special regard. The accusers are essentially saying:
The Father's Delight
This is a profound irony. Jesus is the one whom God the Father delights in, as declared at his baptism and transfiguration. Yet, in his darkest hour, his enemies twist this very truth into a reason for doubt and mockery. God's 'desire' for his Son was not to rescue him from the cross, but to see the plan of salvation through to completion via that sacrifice.
Understand the original words
pepoitha · Greek Verb
To rely upon, have confidence in, or commit oneself to. Biblically, it signifies not just intellectual assent but a personal commitment and reliance on God's character and promises.
rhyomai · Greek Verb
To rescue or set free from a state of danger, trial, or destruction. It implies God's intervention on behalf of His people.
hyios Theou · Greek Noun phrase
One who has a special, unique relationship with the Father, possessing the same nature and authority. Jesus is the Son of God in a divine, ontological sense, uniquely representing the Father to humanity.
These words spoken from the cross aren't just random insults; they're a deliberate twisting of Scripture, quoting from Psalm 22. The religious leaders are essentially taunting Jesus with a prophecy about the Messiah, unaware they are fulfilling it in real-time.
c. 29 AD
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus of Nazareth conducts a public ministry filled with miracles, teaching, and growing crowds, proclaiming himself as the Son of God and the Messiah.
c. 29-30 AD
Arrest and Trial of Jesus
Jesus is arrested, interrogated, and tried by Jewish religious leaders and subsequently by the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus is crucified outside Jerusalem. This brutal execution method was reserved for the worst criminals and slaves.
c. 30 AD
Mockery at the Cross
Onlookers, including the chief priests, scribes, elders, and passers-by, taunt Jesus as he hangs dying, challenging his claims to be the Son of God and King of Israel.
This verse is directly quoted by the mockers in Matthew 27:43, showing how they twist a psalm about the Messiah's suffering into an insult against Jesus.
Isaiah 53:4This prophecy speaks of the Suffering Servant being 'despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief,' which reflects the rejection and scorn Jesus faced on the cross from the crowds and leaders.
This passage describes the wicked plotting against the righteous, stating, 'Let us condemn him to a shameful death, for according to his own words, God will take care of him.' This parallels the leaders' disbelief in Jesus' divine claims and their desire for God to abandon him.
This passage provides another perspective on the crucifixion, detailing one of the criminals mocking Jesus while the other defends him, highlighting the stark contrast between those who scorned Jesus and those who recognized his kingship even in his suffering.
vincentMatthew 27:43: "He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God."
If he will have him (εἰ θέλει αὐτόν)Rev., correctly, If he desireth him: i.e., If he likes him. Compare Psalm 18:19(Sept. 17) Psalm 18:19; because he delightest in me (ἠθέλνσέ με), Psalm 41:11(Sept. 40) Psalm 41:11(τεθέληκάς με).
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…
The taunt "if he will have him" carries a subtle, biting twist: it questions not just God's ability to deliver, but His desire or pleasure in Jesus, directly challenging Jesus' claim to be God's Son. This implies that if God truly delighted in Him, He would certainly intervene right then.
As Jesus hangs dying on the cross, those who had gathered to mock him continue their taunts, including the chief priests and scribes. They challenge him to come down from the cross, quoting from Psalm 22:8 and twisting his own words about being the Son of God into a weapon against him. This exchange escalates the mockery, highlighting the profound irony of their disbelief in the face of his ultimate sacrifice.
As Jesus hangs dying on the cross, those who had gathered to mock him continue their taunts, including the chief priests and scribes. They challenge him to come down from the cross, quoting from Psalm 22:8 and twisting his own words about being the Son of God into a weapon against him. This exchange escalates the mockery, highlighting the profound irony of their disbelief in the face of his ultimate sacrifice.
"He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”" — The taunt "if he will have him" carries a subtle, biting twist: it questions not just God's ability to deliver, but His desire or pleasure in Jesus, directly challenging Jesus' claim to be God'…
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Last reviewed October 2026