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Atomic Bible
Matthew 27:42
“He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him.
from The Crucifixion, Matthew 27:32-44
What it says

The leaders say he saved others but cannot save himself, and they promise belief if he comes down from the cross.

What it is doing

The verse voices the leaders’ taunt and condition.

In context

32Along the way they found a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross of Jesus. 33And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means The Place of the Skull, 34they offered Him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, He refused to drink it. 35When they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments by casting lots. 36And sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. 37Above His head they posted the written charge against Him: 38Two robbers were crucified with Him, one on His right and the other on His left. 39And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads 40and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!” 41In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying, 42“He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. 43He trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now if He wants Him. For He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” 44In the same way, even the robbers who were crucified with Him berated Him.