Bible Strands
Luke 23:39
One of the criminals who hung there heaped abuse on Him. “Are You not the Christ?” he said. “Save Yourself and us!”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — One of the crucified criminals addresses Jesus, demanding that He prove His identity as the Christ by descending from the cross to rescue them both.
The words — ἐβλασφήμει (eblasphēmei) translates literally as "he was denigrating" or "heaped abuse," describing the criminal's verbal attack before his demand.
The thread — The text aligns with the rulers' mockery in Luke 23:35, the crucifixion inscription in Luke 23:38, and the parallel accounts in Matthew 27:44 and Mark 15:32.
Why it lands — The passage records a direct challenge to Jesus' identity and power, forcing the reader to confront whether divine authority is validated by escaping suffering or by enduring it.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
Cross-references
- Matthew 27:44 In the same way, even the robbers who were crucified with Him berated Him.
- Mark 15:32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, so that we may see and believe!” And even those who were crucified with Him berated Him.
- Luke 23:35 The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”
- Luke 23:37 “If You are the King of the Jews,” they said, “save Yourself!”
- Luke 17:34 I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed: one will be taken and the other left.