Matthew 27:39

KJV

And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} they that passed by {G3899} reviled {G987} him {G846}, wagging {G2795} their {G846} heads {G2776},

Complete Jewish Bible

People passing by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads

Berean Standard Bible

And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads

American Standard Version

And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 27:39 vividly portrays the profound public humiliation endured by Jesus during His crucifixion. As He hung on the cross, not only were the Roman authorities and religious leaders present, but even ordinary individuals passing by joined in the chorus of scorn, reviling Him and expressing utter contempt through the ancient gesture of wagging their heads. This moment underscores the depth of Christ's suffering, encompassing not only physical torment but also intense emotional and psychological abuse, fulfilling ancient prophecies regarding the Messiah's rejection.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 27:39 is situated within the climactic narrative of Jesus' passion and crucifixion, beginning with His condemnation by Pilate and His journey to Golgotha ([Matthew 27:27-33](/matthew/27-27-33 "Matthew 27:27-33 - Jesus Led to Golgotha")). Following His crucifixion between two criminals ([Matthew 27:38](/matthew/27-38 "Matthew 27:38 - Jesus Crucified Between Two Thieves")), this verse introduces the widespread public mockery He faced. The immediate verses that follow, [Matthew 27:40-44](/matthew/27-40-44 "Matthew 27:40-44 - Mockery by Religious Leaders and Thieves"), detail the specific taunts from various groups, including the chief priests, scribes, elders, and even the thieves crucified alongside Him. This sustained barrage of verbal abuse intensifies the scene of suffering, setting the stage for Jesus' death and subsequent resurrection.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Roman crucifixion was a public spectacle designed to deter rebellion and assert imperial power, often carried out in prominent locations for maximum visibility. In the Jewish cultural context of the first century, public mockery, especially gestures like "wagging their heads," carried significant weight as expressions of extreme contempt, disdain, and triumph over a defeated enemy. This gesture, rooted in ancient Near Eastern customs, was a powerful non-verbal insult, signifying a complete lack of respect or sympathy. The Passover season, during which these events unfolded, would have drawn a massive crowd to Jerusalem, making Jesus' public humiliation witnessed by a vast and diverse audience, further amplifying the shame and isolation He experienced.
* **Key Themes:** The verse profoundly contributes to several overarching themes within Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Mockery and Derision** directed at Jesus, showcasing the extent of human sin and rebellion against God's Son. The verbal abuse and physical gestures of scorn emphasize His profound rejection. Secondly, the "wagging of heads" directly fulfills Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's suffering, particularly [Psalm 22:7](/psalm/22-7 "Psalm 22:7 - Prophecy of Mockery") ("All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying...") and [Psalm 109:25](/psalm/109-25 "Psalm 109:25 - Prophecy of Reproach"). This demonstrates the divine orchestration of events, even in moments of intense human wickedness, underscoring God's sovereign plan. Lastly, the verse vividly portrays the **Depth of Christ's Humiliation**, revealing that the Son of God was not only subjected to the cruelest form of execution but also stripped of all dignity, becoming an object of public ridicule, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Jesus Despised and Rejected").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **reviled (Greek, _blasphēméō'_):** From G987, meaning "to vilify; specially, to speak impiously." This word conveys a strong sense of abusive, slanderous, or blasphemous speech directed against someone, particularly against God or sacred things. Here, it signifies the intense verbal abuse and impious accusations hurled at Jesus.
* **wagging (Greek, _kinéō'_):** From G2795, meaning "to stir (transitively), literally or figuratively." In this context, it describes the action of shaking or moving the head, a specific physical gesture.
* **heads (Greek, _kephalḗ'_):** From G2776, meaning "the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively." Combined with "wagging," it completes the idiom of scorn and derision.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they that passed by":** This phrase emphasizes the public nature of Jesus' suffering. It was not just the soldiers or religious elite, but ordinary people, those simply "traveling near" (as per G3899, _paraporeúomai_), who joined in the mockery. This highlights the widespread rejection of Jesus by humanity.
* **"reviled him":** This signifies the verbal abuse Jesus endured. The Greek term _blasphēméō_ (G987) implies not just insults, but impious or slanderous speech, perhaps even blasphemy against His claims to be the Son of God or the King of the Jews. This verbal assault added to the physical agony of the crucifixion.
* **"wagging their heads":** This describes a specific, culturally understood gesture of scorn, contempt, or triumph over an enemy. It is a non-verbal expression of utter disdain, signifying a complete lack of sympathy or respect, and often implying a sense of satisfaction in the downfall of the reviled individual.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 27:39 employs several powerful literary devices. **Symbolism** is evident in the "wagging of their heads," a gesture deeply rooted in Old Testament prophecy and ancient Near Eastern culture as a symbol of utter contempt and derision. This physical act symbolically represents humanity's rejection of God's Son. There is also profound **Irony** in this scene: the Son of God, the rightful King of the universe, is mocked by His own creation, an act that paradoxically fulfills God's redemptive plan. Furthermore, the verse serves as an instance of **Prophetic Fulfillment**, directly echoing passages like [Psalm 22:7](/psalm/22-7 "Psalm 22:7 - Prophecy of Mockery") and [Psalm 109:25](/psalm/109-25 "Psalm 109:25 - Prophecy of Reproach"), demonstrating Matthew's consistent emphasis on Jesus as the Messiah who fulfills the Scriptures. The vivid imagery also contributes to the **Pathos** of the scene, evoking deep sympathy for Christ's suffering and highlighting the immense cost of salvation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 27:39 serves as a stark reminder of the depth of human depravity and the extent to which humanity rejected its Creator and Redeemer. The public scorn and humiliation endured by Jesus underscore the immense cost of our salvation and His unwavering commitment to fulfilling God's redemptive plan. This scene reveals the sinfulness of humanity, which, rather than recognizing its Savior, chose to mock and revile Him. Theologically, it highlights the ultimate humility of God incarnate, who emptied Himself and endured the most profound shame for the sake of reconciling a lost world to a holy God. It is a testament to divine love that perseveres even in the face of ultimate rejection.

* [Psalm 22:7](/psalm/22-7 "Psalm 22:7 - Prophecy of Mockery and Head-Shaking")
* [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Jesus Despised and Rejected by Men")
* [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death on a Cross")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 27:39 calls us to a deeper contemplation of Christ's unparalleled suffering and His willingness to endure the deepest forms of human scorn for our redemption. It challenges us to consider the nature of our own hearts and whether we, too, might be guilty of rejecting or trivializing His sacrifice through our actions or indifference. For believers, this verse offers profound comfort and strength: if our Lord endured such public humiliation, we should not be surprised or dismayed when we face ridicule or opposition for our faith. Rather, it encourages us to identify with Him in His suffering, knowing that He understands our pain and rejection. It compels us to respond with gratitude, humility, and a renewed commitment to live lives that honor the One who bore such shame for our sake, reminding us that true discipleship often involves embracing the cross and the scorn that may come with it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the public mockery of Jesus in this verse deepen your understanding of His sacrifice?**
* **In what ways might we, in our modern context, unknowingly "revile" or "wag our heads" at Christ through our attitudes or actions?**
* **How can remembering Jesus' endurance of scorn strengthen us when we face rejection or ridicule for our faith?**
* **What does this scene reveal about the nature of humanity's sin and God's unwavering love?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of "wagging their heads" in this verse?**

Answer: The gesture of "wagging their heads" (Greek, _kinéō kephalḗ_) is an ancient idiom found in various biblical and ancient Near Eastern contexts. It signifies extreme contempt, scorn, derision, and often a sense of triumph over a defeated enemy. In [Matthew 27:39](/matthew/27-39 "Matthew 27:39 - Passersby Mock Jesus"), it underscores the profound public humiliation and disdain directed at Jesus, emphasizing the complete lack of sympathy or respect from those who witnessed His crucifixion. This gesture also holds significant prophetic fulfillment, directly echoing passages like [Psalm 22:7](/psalm/22-7 "Psalm 22:7 - Prophecy of Mockery") and [Psalm 109:25](/psalm/109-25 "Psalm 109:25 - Prophecy of Reproach"), which foretold the Messiah's suffering and public mockery.

**Why were ordinary passersby mocking Jesus, in addition to the religious leaders?**

Answer: The fact that "they that passed by" joined in the mockery highlights the widespread nature of Jesus' rejection and the intense public fervor against Him. While the religious leaders had specific theological and political motives for wanting Jesus crucified, the general populace may have been swayed by the accusations against Him, disappointed that He did not fulfill their expectations of a conquering Messiah, or simply caught up in the mob mentality of a public execution designed to be a spectacle of shame. This detail emphasizes that Jesus' humiliation was not limited to His direct adversaries but was a broad societal rejection, underscoring the depth of His isolation and suffering for the sins of all humanity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 27:39, with its depiction of Jesus enduring public scorn and mockery, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in revealing the very heart of God's redemptive plan. The Son of God, who deserved all honor and praise, willingly subjected Himself to the ultimate humiliation, becoming the object of derision so that humanity might be reconciled to God. This scene is a powerful testament to Jesus as the Suffering Servant prophesied in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"), who was "despised and rejected of men" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Jesus Despised and Rejected")). His silence in the face of such abuse, as noted elsewhere in the passion narrative, exemplifies His perfect obedience and trust in His Father's will, even unto death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death on a Cross")). The mockery He endured was part of the divine plan for Him to be identified as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bearing the shame and curse that rightfully belonged to us. Thus, this moment of profound human wickedness becomes the very means by which God's love and justice are perfectly demonstrated, paving the way for our salvation and the ultimate triumph of Christ over sin and death, as He looked beyond the shame to the joy set before Him ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Our Faith")).

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 109:25

I became also a reproach unto them: [when] they looked upon me they shaked their heads.

Lamentations 1:12

¶ [Is it] nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted [me] in the day of his fierce anger.

Job 16:4

I also could speak as ye [do]: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.

Psalms 69:7

Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.

Psalms 69:12

They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I [was] the song of the drunkards.

Psalms 22:6

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

Psalms 22:7

All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, [saying],