Bible Strands
Matthew 27:41
In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The chief priests, scribes, and elders address the crucified Jesus from a distance, continuing their taunts immediately after the crowd's challenge in the preceding verse. Their words occur at the moment of Jesus' execution, functioning as a final provocation before His death.
The words — The participle ἐμπαίζοντες (empaizontes) literally means "mocking" or "deriding," capturing the scornful tone of the religious leaders. The adverb ὁμοίως (homoiōs) translates as "likewise," linking their actions directly to the previous taunt.
The thread — This pattern of religious leaders deriding a suffering righteous figure echoes the psalmist's experience in Psalms 35:26 and the strong bulls surrounding the afflicted in Psalms 22:12. The dynamic also recalls Job's warning that divine examination cannot be deceived as human judges can (Job 13:9).
Why it lands — The text states that religious authorities actively mocked a dying man while demanding proof of his identity. A reader must confront how institutional certainty can harden into contempt when confronted with an unyielding, suffering truth.
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
Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
Cross-references
- Psalms 35:26 May those who gloat in my distress be ashamed and confounded; may those who exalt themselves over me be clothed in shame and reproach.
- Job 13:9 Would it be well when He examined you? Could you deceive Him as you would deceive a man?
- Psalms 22:12 Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
- Isaiah 28:22 So now, do not mock, or your shackles will become heavier. Indeed, I have heard from the Lord GOD of Hosts a decree of destruction against the whole land.
- Isaiah 49:7 Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, to Him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the Servant of rulers: “Kings will see You and rise, and princes will bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen You.”
- Zechariah 11:8 And in one month I dismissed three shepherds. My soul grew impatient with the flock, and their souls also detested me.
- Mark 15:31 In the same way, the chief priests and scribes mocked Him among themselves, saying, “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself!
- Luke 18:32 He will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon.
- Luke 22:52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, temple officers, and elders who had come for Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against an outlaw?
- 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.”