Matthew 27:40

and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!”

Berean Standard Bible

Follow its threads on the canvas →

Study note

Setting — Passersby and religious leaders mock Jesus on the cross, demanding He prove His identity by descending from the tree.

The words — The Greek καταλῶν (kataluōn) means "destroying" and ναὸν (naon) means "temple," directly naming the structure the mockers claim He threatened to tear down.

The thread — This mockery echoes the false accusations in Matthew 26:61 and mirrors the devil’s temptations in Matthew 4:3 and 4:6, where the phrase "If You are the Son of God" triggers demands for miraculous proof.

Why it lands — The text demands a physical demonstration of divine power to validate spiritual identity, placing the burden of proof on the crucified figure rather than accepting His stated mission.

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 saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

Cross-references

Matthew 26:61 and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”
Matthew 4:3 The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Matthew 4:6 “If You are the Son of God,” he said, “throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command His angels concerning You, and they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’”
John 2:19 Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.”
Matthew 26:63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to Him, “I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.”
Luke 16:31 Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Revelation 11:10 And those who dwell on the earth will gloat over them and celebrate and send one another gifts, because these two prophets had tormented them.
Genesis 37:19 “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to one another.
Matthew 16:4 A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Then He left them and went away.
Matthew 27:42 “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him.