Luke 23:39

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

And {G1161} one {G1520} of the malefactors {G2557} which were hanged {G2910} railed {G987} on him {G846}, saying {G3004}, If {G1487} thou {G4771} be {G1488} Christ {G5547}, save {G4982} thyself {G4572} and {G2532} us {G2248}.

One of the criminals hanging there hurled insults at him. “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

One of the criminals who hung there heaped abuse on Him. “Are You not the Christ?” he said. “Save Yourself and us!”

And one of the malefactors that were hanged railed on him, saying, Art not thou the Christ? save thyself and us.

Commentary

Luke 23:39 captures a poignant and stark moment during the crucifixion of Jesus, revealing the depth of human unbelief and the varied responses to Christ even in His agony. One of the two criminals crucified alongside Him hurls insults and demands, challenging Jesus' identity as the Messiah.

Context

This verse is set at Golgotha, also known as Calvary, the place of the skull, where Jesus was crucified between two convicted criminals. The entire crucifixion scene is marked by intense suffering, public humiliation, and widespread mockery. Before this moment, the religious leaders, the soldiers, and even passersby had derided Jesus, daring Him to save Himself if He was truly the Son of God (Luke 23:35). This criminal's taunt echoes these sentiments, adding another layer of scorn from those who shared His fate.

Key Themes

  • Unbelief and Mockery: The criminal's words exemplify the pervasive unbelief and ridicule Jesus endured. Even in His weakest state, His claims to be the Christ were met with contempt, demanding a demonstration of power on human terms.
  • Misunderstanding of Messiahship: The criminal's demand, "If thou be Christ, save thyself and us," highlights a fundamental misunderstanding of the Messiah's true mission. Many expected a political or military deliverer who would rescue Israel from Roman rule, not one who would suffer and die for spiritual salvation. This contrasts sharply with Jesus' own declaration that His kingdom was not of this world.
  • Human Desperation and Self-Interest: The criminal's plea is born out of personal fear and a desire for immediate physical deliverance from his own impending death. He seeks only his own preservation, not spiritual redemption or repentance.
  • Contrast in Responses: This verse sets the stage for the striking contrast with the other criminal, who, in the very next verses (Luke 23:40-43), rebukes his companion and expresses genuine faith in Jesus, leading to the promise of paradise.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "railed on him" comes from the Greek word blasphemeo (βλασφημέω), which means "to speak evil of," "to revile," or "to blaspheme." It signifies not just an insult, but a disrespectful and impious attack, especially against divine authority. The term "malefactors" (Greek kakourgoi, κακοῦργοι) literally means "evildoers" or "criminals," emphasizing their deserved condemnation under the law.

Practical Application

Luke 23:39 serves as a powerful reminder of how people often approach God: demanding signs, seeking immediate gratification, and focusing on physical deliverance rather than spiritual transformation. It challenges us to examine our own faith:

  • Do we truly believe in Jesus' identity as the Christ, even when circumstances are bleak?
  • Are we seeking rescue from our immediate troubles, or are we seeking genuine repentance and eternal salvation?
  • The differing responses of the two criminals highlight that even in the face of death, one can choose hardened unbelief or a humble, saving faith. This pivotal choice is available to all, regardless of their past.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 27:44

    The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

  • Mark 15:32

    Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.

  • Luke 23:35

    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.

  • Luke 23:37

    And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

  • Luke 17:34

    I tell you, in that night there shall be two [men] in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.

  • Luke 17:35

    Two [women] shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
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