New Testament
Matthew 27:40
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and saying, "You who were going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in 3 days — save yourself! If you're the Son of God, come down from the cross!"
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And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
What Matthew 27:40 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the mocking crowd challenges Jesus while He is on the cross. They reference His earlier claim about destroying the temple and rebuilding it in three days, which symbolizes His body and the resurrection. By taunting Him to save Himself, they highlight their disbelief in His identity as the Son of God. This moment illustrates the intense suffering and humiliation Jesus faced, as those around Him doubted His power and purpose. The crowd's words reflect a misunderstanding of Jesus' mission, as they expected a political savior rather than a spiritual one. Their challenge reveals the depth of their scorn and the fulfillment of prophecy, as Jesus willingly endured this mockery for the sake of humanity's salvation. This scene emphasizes the contrast between human expectations of power and the divine plan of redemption through suffering.
How to apply Matthew 27:40 to your life
This verse reminds us that faith can be tested in difficult times. Just as Jesus faced mockery, we may encounter doubt from others. It encourages us to stand firm in our beliefs and trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem dire or when we face ridicule.
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Illustrated scene from Jesus's story: The Crucifixion (Matthew 27:32–44)
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Jesus
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725045). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nazareth, Israel; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
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The small town in Galilee where Jesus grew up.
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At a Glance — the Book of Matthew
- Author
- Matthew the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Matthew 27:40 mean?
Matthew 27:40 depicts the crowd mocking Jesus while He is crucified, challenging Him to save Himself if He truly is the Son of God. This moment highlights their disbelief and misunderstanding of His mission, as they reference His earlier statement about destroying the temple and rebuilding it in three days, which symbolizes His resurrection.
What is the significance of the temple in Matthew 27:40?
In Matthew 27:40, the temple symbolizes Jesus' body and His resurrection. The crowd's reference to His claim about destroying and rebuilding the temple underscores their ignorance of His true purpose and the spiritual nature of His mission.
Why did the crowd mock Jesus in Matthew 27:40?
The crowd mocked Jesus in Matthew 27:40 because they doubted His identity as the Son of God and expected Him to demonstrate His power by saving Himself from the cross. Their taunts reveal their misunderstanding of His role as a spiritual savior rather than a political one.
How does Matthew 27:40 relate to the theme of suffering?
Matthew 27:40 illustrates the theme of suffering by showing Jesus enduring mockery and scorn at His most vulnerable moment. This highlights the depth of His sacrifice and the fulfillment of prophecy, as He willingly faces humiliation for humanity's salvation.
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