Matthew 27:43
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)
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The taunt here is sharper than it first appears. When they say, "if he desires him," they're echoing ancient Hebrew and Greek phrases that mean "if God delights in him" or "if he takes pleasure in him." They're mocking Jesus by twisting Scripture, suggesting God's favor is conditional and that His "delight" might be withdrawn at this very moment of suffering.
As Jesus hangs on the cross, he endures the mocking and scorn of passersby, the chief priests, scribes, and elders, who challenge him to save himself if he is truly the Son of God and the King of Israel. These taunts are deliberately rooted in the Old Testament prophecies and Psalms, twisting Scripture to fuel their disbelief. They believe Jesus' suffering proves he is abandoned by God, not the promised Messiah.
The leaders throwing insults at Jesus used words that sounded familiar, but their intent was venomous.
In Matthew 27:43, the chief priests and elders twist Scripture to mock Jesus. They quote what sounds like Psalm 22:8, 'He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him.' This was a prophetic psalm that described the suffering Messiah.
The Perversion of Truth
By using these words, they were trying to undermine Jesus' claim of being the Son of God. They implied that if God truly loved or desired Him, He would rescue Him from the cross right then. This was a cruel distortion, using God's own words against His Son at the moment of His greatest need.
Unknowing Prophecy
It’s a profound irony: in their attempt to humiliate Jesus, they were actually fulfilling prophecy. They were unknowingly echoing the very words that foretold the Messiah's suffering and rejection, as described in the Psalms.
The taunters presented Jesus with a 'no-win' scenario, twisting the very idea of God's favor into a weapon.
The phrase 'if he desires him' (or 'if he will have him' in some translations) is loaded with meaning.
God's Delight vs. Rescue
The Jewish leaders used this to question God's affection for Jesus. They wanted to know, 'If God really delights in you, why isn't He saving you right now?' They equated God's favor with immediate, visible rescue from suffering.
A Misunderstanding of Divine Will
This completely missed the point of Jesus' mission. His purpose was not to avoid suffering, but to embrace it as the path to redemption. God's 'desire' for Jesus was fulfilled not by pulling Him from the cross, but by seeing Him complete the sacrificial work. The leaders’ challenge misunderstood the nature of God’s love and His sovereign plan.
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.
The taunts hurled at Jesus on the cross echo the ancient Psalm 22, a Messianic psalm. The irony is that the very leaders who rejected Jesus' claims to be the Son of God and King of Israel were, in their mockery, fulfilling prophecy and unknowingly pointing to his true identity.
c. 25 BC
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Antigonus II Mattathias, the last Hasmonean ruler, is captured and executed by the Romans, ending Jewish self-rule for a period and establishing Herod the Great as client king.
c. 30 BC - AD 30
Herodian Dynasty Rules Judea
Judea is ruled by Herod the Great and his descendants, who are client kings to Rome, often leading to unrest and tension with the Jewish populace.
c. AD 26-36
Pontius Pilate Prefect of Judea
Pontius Pilate serves as the Roman prefect of Judea, a period marked by insensitivity to Jewish religious customs and increasing friction between Romans and Jews.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus proclaims himself the Son of God and King of Israel, leading to his arrest, trial by Jewish leaders and Roman authorities, and crucifixion.
This passage is directly quoted by the mockers in Matthew 27:43, showing how they twisted Scripture to insult Jesus during His suffering.
Isaiah 53:4The verse speaks of the Suffering Servant bearing our griefs and sorrows, which connects to Jesus being reviled and seemingly abandoned by God, yet fulfilling prophecy through His suffering.
This text describes the righteous one being tested and claiming to be God's child, mirroring the accusations leveled against Jesus by the chief priests and elders.
This passage provides the parallel account of the crucifixion, including the taunts from the thieves, and offers the contrasting perspective of the repentant thief who recognized Jesus' kingship amidst 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 here is sharper than it first appears. When they say, "if he desires him," they're echoing ancient Hebrew and Greek phrases that mean "if God delights in him" or "if he takes pleasure in him." They're mocking Jesus by twisting Scripture, suggesting God's favor is conditional and that His "delight" might be withdrawn at this very moment of suffering.
As Jesus hangs on the cross, he endures the mocking and scorn of passersby, the chief priests, scribes, and elders, who challenge him to save himself if he is truly the Son of God and the King of Israel. These taunts are deliberately rooted in the Old Testament prophecies and Psalms, twisting Scripture to fuel their disbelief. They believe Jesus' suffering proves he is abandoned by God, not the promised Messiah.
As Jesus hangs on the cross, he endures the mocking and scorn of passersby, the chief priests, scribes, and elders, who challenge him to save himself if he is truly the Son of God and the King of Israel. These taunts are deliberately rooted in the Old Testament prophecies and Psalms, twisting Scripture to fuel their disbelief. They believe Jesus' suffering proves he is abandoned by God, not the promised Messiah.
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c. AD 66-73
First Jewish-Roman War
A major revolt of the Jews against Roman rule, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple, profoundly impacting Jewish society and religion.
"He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”" — The taunt here is sharper than it first appears. When they say, "if he desires him," they're echoing ancient Hebrew and Greek phrases that mean "if God delights in him" or "if he takes pleasure in hi…
