Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

MATTHEW 27:41KJV
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Matthew 27:41 (KJV)

What does Matthew 27:41 mean?

Matthew 27:41 describes how the chief priests, along with the scribes and elders, mocked Jesus as He was on the cross. This verse shows that not only the Roman soldiers but also the leading Jewish religious authorities participated in ridiculing Jesus during His crucifixion.

The scene takes place at the crucifixion, where Jesus is being executed. The chief priests, scribes, and elders were the main religious leaders in Jerusalem, and their actions here show their strong opposition to Jesus. Instead of showing compassion, they publicly scorn Him, highlighting the depth of rejection Jesus faced from those in positions of spiritual authority.

The Greek behind Matthew 27:41

  • The word "mocking" (ἐμπαίζοντες, empaizontes) means to ridicule or make fun of someone in a cruel or dismissive way. The Greek here carries the sense of ongoing, active scorn, not just a passing insult.
  • "Chief priests" (ἀρχιερεῖς, archiereis) refers to the highest-ranking priests, often involved in temple leadership and decision-making. Their presence emphasizes that this was an official, not just a popular, rejection.
  • "Scribes" (γραμματεῖς, grammateis) were experts in the Jewish law, and "elders" (πρεσβύτεροι, presbyteroi) were respected community leaders. Their involvement shows that the entire religious leadership was united in this act.

Why Matthew 27:41 matters

  • Matthew 27:41 highlights that Jesus was not only rejected by the Roman authorities but also by the highest Jewish leaders, underlining the completeness of His rejection.
  • The verse connects to earlier moments in the Gospel where these same groups opposed Jesus, showing a consistent pattern of hostility.
  • This detail helps readers understand the depth of the humiliation Jesus endured and the fulfillment of prophecies about the Messiah being despised and rejected.

Where else these words appear

“mocking” Greek G1702 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  • Mark 10:34 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.
  • Luke 18:32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:

“Likewise” Greek G3668 · used in 30 verses

  • Matthew 22:26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
  • Luke 10:37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

“scribes” Greek G1122 · used in 67 verses

  • Matthew 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
  • Matthew 26:57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
  • Mark 15:31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.

“elders” Greek G4245 · used in 67 verses

  • Matthew 15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
  • Luke 20:1 And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,
  • 1 Timothy 5:2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.