Devine Scripture

Matthew 27:41

What does Matthew 27:41 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 27:41 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 27:41 means

The chief priests, scribes, and elders join in mocking Jesus, repeating and amplifying the taunts. Their participation is striking: religious leaders who should discern divine things scoff at the supposed ‘failure’ of Jesus. Their mocking reveals hard-heartedness and a final, public severing from the Messiah. Instead of repentance at the sight of suffering, they use it to justify their rejection, showing how spiritual blindness hardens even at the site of God’s apparent defeat.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

In like manner also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

In like manner also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

In the same way, the chief priests, making sport of him, with the scribes and those in authority, said,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And in like manner also the chief priests mocking, with the scribes and elders, said,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

In like manner also the chief priests, with the scribes and ancients, mocking said:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

[And] in like manner the chief priests also, mocking, with the scribes and elders, said,

Context

This verse follows the passersby’s taunts (vv. 39–40) and shows the religious elite’s participation. Their scorn provides a bitter contrast to the innocence and kingship proclaimed on the inscription (v. 37) and leads into more direct derision about Jesus’ inability to save himself or others (vv. 42–44).

v.40and saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself: if thou art the Son of God, come down from the cross.

v.41This passage

v.42He saved others; himself he cannot save. He is the King of Israel; let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe on him.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 15:31

    In like manner also the chief priests mocking him among themselves with the scribes said, He saved others; himself he cannot save.

  • Psalms 35:26

    Let them be put to shame and confounded together that rejoice at my hurt: Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor that magnify themselves against me.

  • Isaiah 49:7

    Thus saith Jehovah, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers: Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall worship; because of Jehovah that is faithful, even the Holy One of Israel, who hath chosen thee.

  • Luke 23:35

    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.

  • Psalms 22:12

    Many bulls have compassed me; Strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.

  • Isaiah 28:22

    Now therefore be ye not scoffers, lest your bonds be made strong; for a decree of destruction have I heard from the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, upon the whole earth.

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