Luke 23:35 (KJV)

What does Luke 23:35 mean?

Luke 23:35 describes how, as Jesus was on the cross, the people watched and the religious leaders mocked him, saying that if he truly was the Christ chosen by God, he should save himself as he had saved others. The verse highlights the public humiliation and disbelief Jesus faced from both the crowd and the authorities during his crucifixion.

The scene takes place at the crucifixion, with Jesus on the cross and a crowd gathered to watch. The "rulers" mentioned are the Jewish religious leaders, who openly ridicule Jesus by questioning his identity as the Christ (the Messiah) and God's chosen one. Their words are meant to taunt, pointing out that Jesus, who was known for helping others, now appears powerless to help himself.

The Greek behind Luke 23:35

• The word for "derided" (ἐξεμυκτήριζον, exemyktērizon) means to sneer or mock with contempt, showing that the rulers were not just doubting but actively ridiculing Jesus in front of others.
• "Christ" (Χριστός, Christos) is the Greek word for "anointed one" or "Messiah," emphasizing that the leaders are challenging Jesus' claim to this title.
• "Chosen" (ἐκλεκτός, eklektos) means specially selected or favored, so calling Jesus "the chosen of God" is both a taunt and a test of his supposed special status.

Why Luke 23:35 matters

• This verse shows the depth of rejection Jesus experienced, not just from the authorities but in front of the watching public, highlighting the loneliness and shame of the crucifixion.
• The leaders' mockery connects to earlier parts of Luke, where Jesus' identity as the Christ and God's chosen one is a central theme, now being questioned at his lowest moment.
• The contrast between Jesus' past acts of saving others and his apparent inability to save himself points to the paradox at the heart of the crucifixion: the one who saves is not saved from suffering.