“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.”
My Notes
What Does Matthew 27:40 Mean?
The crowd at the cross mocks Jesus with His own claims: you said you'd destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days — so save yourself. If you're the Son of God, come down from the cross. The taunt uses Jesus' words against Him. The challenge treats the cross as evidence of failure rather than the mechanism of victory.
The phrase "if thou be the Son of God" echoes Satan's wilderness temptation (Matthew 4:3, 6: "if thou be the Son of God"). The same challenge, from a different source. Satan tested with "if." The crowd mocks with "if." Both challenge Jesus to prove His identity through self-rescue. And both receive the same answer: Jesus doesn't.
"Come down from the cross" is the demand that misunderstands everything: the cross isn't the thing preventing Jesus from being the Son of God. It's the thing proving He is. Coming down would disprove, not prove, His identity. The Son of God isn't the one who avoids the cross. He's the one who stays on it.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Does the 'if thou be the Son of God, come down' taunt describe any challenge to your faith — 'if God is real, why don't you see proof'?
- 2.How does the parallel with Satan's temptation (same 'if,' different mouth) reveal the consistency of the challenge across enemies?
- 3.Does the distinction between 'can't come down' (the crowd's assumption) and 'won't come down' (Jesus' choice) change the cross's meaning?
- 4.Where is Jesus' refusal to prove Himself on YOUR terms the most important thing about His identity?
Devotional
If You're the Son of God — come down. That's the taunt. And the answer is: the Son of God is the one who DOESN'T come down.
The crowd mocks with Jesus' own words: You said You'd destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days. So save Yourself. If You're who You claim to be — prove it. Climb off the cross. Use the power we know You have. Demonstrate Your identity by avoiding the suffering.
"If thou be the Son of God" — the same words Satan used in the wilderness. If. If You're really God's Son, turn stones to bread. If You're really God's Son, jump from the temple. If You're really God's Son, come down from the cross. The challenge is always the same: prove Your identity by doing what I want. Use Your power to serve my expectation.
And the answer is always the same: no. Jesus didn't turn stones to bread in the wilderness. He didn't jump from the temple. And He doesn't come down from the cross. Because the Son of God's identity isn't proven by avoiding suffering. It's proven by enduring it. Voluntarily. Deliberately. For the people who are mocking Him while He does it.
"Come down from the cross" — the demand that misunderstands everything. The cross isn't the failure. It's the plan. The suffering isn't the obstacle. It's the mechanism. Coming down would prove He's NOT the Son of God — because the Son of God came specifically to stay up there. The cross is the mission. Leaving it would be aborting the mission.
The crowd sees weakness (He can't come down). Jesus demonstrates strength (He won't come down). The difference between "can't" and "won't" is the entire gospel. Jesus could come down. Twelve legions of angels were available (26:53). He chose to stay. Because the staying — not the leaving — saves the world.
The Son of God is the one on the cross. Not the one who came down from it.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Likewise also the chief priests,.... Who as they attended at his apprehension, and in their own council condemned him to…
Thou that destroyest the temple ... - Meaning, Thou that didst boast that thou couldst do it. This was one of the things…
Thou that destroyest the temple This is the mockery of the Jewish populace, who have caught up the charges brought…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture