Matthew 27:40 (KJV)

What does Matthew 27:40 mean?

Matthew 27:40 describes how people mocked Jesus as He was crucified, challenging Him to save Himself and come down from the cross if He truly was the Son of God. They referenced His earlier statement about destroying the temple and rebuilding it in three days, using it to taunt Him in His suffering.

The scene takes place at Jesus’ crucifixion, where bystanders—likely including religious leaders and others—are speaking directly to Jesus. Their words twist something Jesus had said earlier about the temple, using it as a way to ridicule Him and question His identity and power. This mocking highlights both their misunderstanding of Jesus’ message and their disbelief in His claim to be the Son of God.

The Greek behind Matthew 27:40

• The word for "destroyest" (καταλύων, katalyōn) means to tear down or demolish, and here it is used to recall Jesus’ statement about the temple, though He was speaking figuratively about His body.
• "Temple" (ναός, naos) refers specifically to the inner sanctuary of the temple, not just the building as a whole, which adds weight to the accusation.
• The phrase "save thyself" uses the Greek word σῶσον (sōson), which means to rescue or deliver. The mockers are challenging Jesus to prove His power by escaping death.
• "If thou be the Son of God" (υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ, huios tou theou) directly questions Jesus’ divine identity, echoing the temptation Jesus faced earlier in the Gospel.

Why Matthew 27:40 matters

• This verse shows how Jesus’ words were misunderstood and used against Him, revealing the depth of the mockery and disbelief He faced.
• The challenge to "come down from the cross" emphasizes the contrast between human expectations of power and the way Jesus chose to fulfill His mission.
• The verse connects to earlier moments in Matthew, such as Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, where His identity as the Son of God was also questioned, highlighting a recurring theme of testing and misunderstanding.