Luke 23:35

KJV

And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided [him], saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the people {G2992} stood {G2476} beholding {G2334}. And {G1161} the rulers {G758} also {G2532} with {G4862} them {G846} derided {G1592} him, saying {G3004}, He saved {G4982} others {G243}; let him save {G4982} himself {G1438}, if {G1487} he {G3778} be {G2076} Christ {G5547}, the chosen {G1588} of God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at him. “He saved others,” they said, “so if he really is the Messiah, the one chosen by God, let him save himself!”

Berean Standard Bible

The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”

American Standard Version

And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also scoffed at him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 23:35 vividly portrays the stark contrast in reactions to Jesus' crucifixion, highlighting the profound irony and spiritual blindness of His accusers. While the general populace merely observes the gruesome spectacle, the religious rulers actively mock Jesus, challenging His messianic claims with the taunt, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God." This moment encapsulates the core conflict between human expectations of a conquering Messiah and God's divine plan of salvation through a suffering servant, revealing the depth of human opposition to God's redemptive work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the harrowing climax of Luke's passion narrative, immediately following the crucifixion of Jesus between two criminals and His prayer for His tormentors ([Luke 23:33-34](/luke/23-33-34 "Luke 23:33-34 - The Crucifixion and Jesus' Prayer")). It sets the stage for the subsequent interactions on the cross, including the conversion of the penitent thief ([Luke 23:39-43](/luke/23-39-43 "Luke 23:39-43 - The Penitent Thief")). The mockery from the rulers and soldiers, including the challenge to save Himself, echoes earlier temptations by Satan in the wilderness ([Luke 4:1-13](/luke/4-1-13 "Luke 4:1-13 - The Temptation of Jesus")) and foreshadows the ultimate triumph of God's plan through apparent defeat. Luke emphasizes the public nature of the crucifixion and the varied responses, from passive observation to active derision, underscoring the universal significance of this event.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Roman crucifixion was a brutal, public form of execution designed to inflict maximum suffering and humiliation, serving as a deterrent against rebellion. It was a spectacle, and crowds often gathered to witness it. The "rulers" mentioned here refer to the Jewish religious authorities—chief priests, scribes, and elders—who had orchestrated Jesus' arrest and trial. Their presence at Golgotha and their taunts were not merely spontaneous acts of malice but a continuation of their concerted effort to discredit Jesus and ensure His public humiliation and ultimate demise. Their challenge, "if he be Christ, the chosen of God," reflects their understanding of the Messiah as a powerful, conquering figure who would deliver Israel from Roman rule, an expectation fundamentally at odds with Jesus' suffering servant role, as prophesied in passages like [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant").
* **Key Themes:** Luke 23:35 contributes to several overarching themes in the Gospel of Luke. Firstly, it highlights the **innocence of Jesus** despite the accusations and mockery; even in His suffering, He embodies divine righteousness. Secondly, it underscores the **paradox of true Messiahship**, contrasting human expectations of power and self-preservation with God's plan of salvation through self-sacrifice. The rulers' demand for Jesus to save Himself is precisely what He cannot do if He is to save humanity, fulfilling His mission as declared in [Matthew 1:21](/matthew/1-21 "Matthew 1:21 - Jesus Will Save His People from Their Sins"). Thirdly, the verse exemplifies **human opposition to God's divine plan**, where unbelief and malice unwittingly serve to accomplish God's sovereign will. Finally, it portrays the **public nature of Jesus' suffering**, emphasizing that His death was not a private affair but a universal event observed by many, setting the stage for the worldwide proclamation of the Gospel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **derided (Greek, _ekmyktērízō_):** This word, derived from "ek" (out) and "mykterizo" (to turn up the nose), means "to sneer outright at" or "to scoff." It conveys an intense, open, and contemptuous scorn, far beyond simple verbal abuse. It suggests a deep-seated disdain and a deliberate act of public humiliation, reflecting the rulers' utter rejection of Jesus' claims and their satisfaction in His apparent defeat.
* **saved (Greek, _sōzō_):** This verb means "to save, deliver, or protect," both literally (healing, physical rescue) and figuratively (spiritual salvation). The rulers' use of this word acknowledges Jesus' past miraculous acts of deliverance and healing ("He saved others"). However, their challenge for Him to "save himself" reveals their fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of His ultimate saving work, which required His self-sacrifice rather than self-preservation. The irony is profound, as His refusal to save Himself on the cross is precisely how He would accomplish salvation for all.
* **chosen (Greek, _eklektós_):** Meaning "select" or "elect," this term refers to someone specially chosen or favored by God. The rulers' taunt, "if he be Christ, the chosen of God," uses a title that implies divine appointment and unique status. While they acknowledge the title, they challenge its validity based on their own criteria for a Messiah, demanding a demonstration of power that aligns with their worldly expectations, rather than recognizing the divine election that led Him to the cross.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the people stood beholding."**: This clause describes the general populace as passive observers. They are present, witnessing the horrific spectacle of the crucifixion, but their posture is one of detached observation rather than active participation in the mockery. Their presence underscores the public nature of Jesus' death.
* **"And the rulers also with them derided [him], saying,"**: This shifts focus to the active, malicious participation of the religious authorities. The use of "also with them" indicates their presence among the crowd, but their action is distinct and hostile. "Derided" (ekmykterizo) signifies their open, contemptuous scoffing, revealing their deep-seated animosity and triumphalism in what they perceived as Jesus' defeat.
* **"He saved others;"**: This is the premise of their taunt, an ironic acknowledgment of Jesus' past ministry. They implicitly recognize His power to heal, deliver, and perform miracles, which had benefited "others." This admission makes their subsequent challenge even more poignant, as they fail to connect His past saving acts with the ultimate act of salvation.
* **"let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God."**: This is the core of their challenge, a direct assault on Jesus' identity and mission. They demand a demonstration of self-preservation as proof of His Messiahship, based on their flawed understanding of what the "Christ, the chosen of God" should do. Their "if" clause expresses doubt and contempt, challenging the very core of His divine claims and mocking His apparent powerlessness on the cross.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in **Irony**, which is the dominant literary device. The rulers' taunt, "He saved others; let him save himself," is profoundly ironic because Jesus' refusal to save Himself is precisely the means by which He saves humanity. Their challenge, intended to discredit Him, unwittingly highlights the very nature of His redemptive mission. There is also **Contrast** evident between the "people" who "stood beholding" (passive observation) and the "rulers" who "derided him" (active hostility), emphasizing the varied human responses to Jesus' suffering. Furthermore, the scene employs **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience (and indeed, subsequent readers) understands the divine necessity and redemptive purpose behind Jesus' apparent weakness, a truth completely lost on the mocking rulers. Their words, intended as a curse, become an unwitting testament to His true identity and mission.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 23:35 powerfully illustrates the profound theological truth that God's strength is often revealed in apparent weakness, and His ultimate victory achieved through suffering and self-sacrifice. The rulers' demand for Jesus to save Himself exposes their worldly understanding of power and their spiritual blindness to the true nature of God's redemptive plan. The cross, which they intended as a symbol of defeat and humiliation, becomes the very instrument of salvation, demonstrating a divine wisdom that confounds human expectations. This paradox is central to Christian theology, revealing that true love and deliverance come not through self-preservation but through laying down one's life for others, a principle perfectly embodied by Christ.

* [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected")
* [Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humiliation")
* [1 Corinthians 1:18](/1_corinthians/1-18 "1 Corinthians 1:18 - The Message of the Cross")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 23:35 serves as a profound mirror for self-examination, challenging our own expectations of what divine power and true leadership should look like. In a world that often values self-preservation, strength, and immediate gratification, Jesus' willingness to endure mockery and choose self-sacrifice for the sake of others stands as the ultimate counter-cultural example of love and power. This passage calls us to consider how we respond when our faith is challenged or when God's ways seem contrary to our logic. Do we, like the rulers, demand a God who fits our preconceived notions, or do we humbly submit to His sovereign, often paradoxical, wisdom? It reminds us that following Christ may involve enduring scorn and choosing the path of humility and service, trusting that God's purposes will ultimately prevail, even through suffering.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I react when my faith or Christian values are mocked or challenged by others?**
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to prioritize self-preservation over self-sacrifice for the sake of Christ or others?**
* **What preconceived notions do I hold about how God should act or demonstrate His power, and how might Luke 23:35 challenge those notions?**
* **How does understanding the rulers' spiritual blindness help me to cultivate a more humble and receptive heart towards God's truth?**

### FAQ
**Why didn't Jesus save Himself from the cross if He truly had the power to do so?**

Answer: Jesus absolutely possessed the power to save Himself, as evidenced by His miracles and the fact that He could have called "more than twelve legions of angels" ([Matthew 26:53](/matthew/26-53 "Matthew 26:53 - Jesus Could Call Angels")) to His aid. However, His refusal to save Himself was not a sign of weakness but of His unwavering commitment to God's redemptive plan. To save Himself would have been to abandon His mission to save humanity from sin and death. His suffering and death on the cross were the necessary means by which He would atone for the sins of the world, fulfilling prophecies and accomplishing the ultimate act of divine love and salvation ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")).

**Who are the "rulers" mentioned in this verse, and why were they deriding Jesus?**

Answer: The "rulers" (Greek: _archon_) primarily refer to the Jewish religious and political leaders, including the chief priests, scribes, and elders of the Sanhedrin. These were the very individuals who had orchestrated Jesus' arrest, trial, and condemnation. They derided Him because they viewed Him as a blasphemer and a threat to their authority and interpretation of the Law. Their taunts were fueled by their rejection of His claims to be the Messiah and Son of God, as well as their desire to see Him utterly discredited and destroyed, believing His death would put an end to His movement.

**What is the significance of the title "the chosen of God"?**

Answer: The title "the chosen of God" (Greek: _eklektos theou_) emphasizes Jesus' unique divine appointment and special status as God's elect one. It links Him to Old Testament concepts of chosen individuals or servants of God (e.g., [Isaiah 42:1](/isaiah/42-1 "Isaiah 42:1 - The Servant of the Lord")). The rulers' use of this title in their mockery is deeply ironic; they challenge the very identity that Jesus perfectly embodies through His obedient suffering. His being "chosen of God" meant He was chosen not for worldly power and self-preservation, but precisely for the redemptive act of self-sacrifice on the cross.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 23:35, though depicting a scene of profound human malice and spiritual blindness, stands as a pivotal moment in the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The rulers' taunt, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God," ironically highlights the very essence of Jesus' messianic mission. He *could* have saved Himself, but His divine love and obedience to the Father's will compelled Him to *not* save Himself, thereby becoming the ultimate Savior of humanity. This act of self-emptying, where the powerful Son of God willingly embraced weakness and humiliation, is the cornerstone of the Gospel. It perfectly fulfills prophecies of a suffering servant ([Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4-6 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - The Suffering Servant Bears Our Sins")) and underscores the paradox that true victory over sin and death was achieved not through a display of earthly might, but through the ultimate act of self-sacrificial love on the cross. Jesus' refusal to descend from the cross was His greatest act of saving power, securing eternal life for all who believe, as beautifully articulated in [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation") and [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Our Faith"). He bore our sins in His body on the tree ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins")), demonstrating that His identity as "the Christ, the chosen of God" was confirmed not by His escape from suffering, but by His faithful endurance of it for our salvation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 22:17

I may tell all my bones: they look [and] stare upon me.

Isaiah 42:1

¶ Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, [in whom] my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

1 Peter 2:4

¶ To whom coming, [as unto] a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, [and] precious,

Psalms 22:6

But I [am] a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

Psalms 22:8

He trusted on the LORD [that] he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

Isaiah 53:3

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Matthew 12:18

Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.