Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The chief priests, scribes, and elders mock Jesus while He hangs on the cross, demanding He descend immediately to prove His identity. Their taunt occurs during the crucifixion narrative as they challenge Him to validate His claim to kingship.
The words — ἔσωσεν (esōsen) means He saved, and σῶσαι (sōsai) means to save, framing the contrast between His past miracles and His present inability to rescue Himself. οὐ δύναται (ou dunatai) literally translates as He is not able, emphasizing the physical reality of His immobilization on the cross.
The thread — The title King of Israel appears earlier when Nathanael confesses Jesus as the Son of God (John 1:49) and later when the Roman titulus names Him King of the Jews (Matthew 27:37). The mocking challenge echoes the wise men’s earlier inquiry about the newborn King of the Jews (Matthew 2:2).
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that Jesus’ refusal to descend is not a failure of power but the necessary fulfillment of His mission. A reader must confront the reality that divine salvation operates through voluntary submission rather than miraculous self-preservation.
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
He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
Cross-references
- John 1:49 “Rabbi,” Nathanael answered, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
- Matthew 27:37 Above His head they posted the written charge against Him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
- Matthew 2:2 asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
- Luke 19:38 “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
- John 9:24 So a second time they called for the man who had been blind and said, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.”
- John 12:13 They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!”
- John 12:47 As for anyone who hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world.
- Acts 4:14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing there with them, they had nothing to say in response.