Those
who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads, and saying, “Ha! You who destroy the temple, and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!”
Mark 15:29-30
Mark 15 [24.] Crucifying him, they parted his garments among them, casting lots on them, what each should take. It was the third hour, and they crucified him. The superscription of his accusation was written over him, “THE KING OF THE JEWS.” With him they crucified two robbers; one on his right hand, and one on his left. The Scripture was fulfilled, which says, “He was numbered with transgressors.”
Mark 15 [29.] Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads, and saying, “Ha! You who destroy the temple, and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!”
Mark 15 [31.] Likewise, also the chief priests mocking among themselves with the scribes said, “He saved others. He can’t save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, that we may see and believe him.” Those who were crucified with him also insulted him.
Meaning:
Jesus hangs on the cross between two robbers, under the notice “THE KING OF THE JEWS” (Mark 15:24-28). Now the mockery begins. Mark describes three groups who insult him: the passers-by, the chief priests and scribes, and the men crucified with him (Mark 15:31-32). These verses record the first group, whose taunt throws back at Jesus a saying from his trial.
- “Those who passed by blasphemed him”
Crucifixions took place beside busy roads so that as many people as possible would see them. With Jerusalem full of Passover pilgrims, many people walked past. The word translated “blasphemed” means to insult or slander. Mark uses it because these insults were aimed at the Son of God himself.
- “wagging their heads”
Shaking the head was a gesture of scorn. Mark’s wording echoes Psalm 22, the psalm Jesus would soon quote from the cross: “All those who see me mock me. They insult me with their lips. They shake their heads” (Psalm 22:7). Matthew uses the same words: “Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads” (Matthew 27:39). The righteous sufferer of the psalm finds his fulfilment in Jesus.
- “Ha! You who destroy the temple, and build it in three days”
The passers-by repeat the charge raised at the night trial, when false witnesses said, “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’” (Mark 14:58). Jesus had foretold the destruction of the temple (Mark 13:2), and early in his ministry he had said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” John explains, “But he spoke of the temple of his body” (John 2:19-21).
The mockers did not understand that the very thing they laughed at was happening before their eyes. The temple of Jesus’ body was being destroyed, and in three days it would be raised up. Through his death and resurrection a new way to God would be opened, as the tearing of the temple veil would soon show (Mark 15:38).
- “save yourself, and come down from the cross!”
This was the heart of the taunt. Jesus could have come down. But to save others he had to refuse to save himself. He had taught, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it” (Mark 8:35). His staying on the cross was not weakness but the strongest act of love and obedience.
The Significance of Mark 15:29-30
- Misunderstanding Jesus
The passers-by knew a saying of Jesus but twisted its meaning. Many people today repeat words about Jesus without understanding them. Faith requires listening to what he actually meant, not to rumours or slogans.
- The power of staying
Jesus showed his power not by coming down but by staying. Love sometimes means remaining in a hard place for the sake of others, trusting God to vindicate us in his time.
- Responding to ridicule
Jesus did not answer the mockers. Followers of Christ will sometimes be ridiculed for their faith. Like him, they can entrust themselves to God, who “judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:23).
Cross-References:
Psalm 22:7: "All those who see me mock me. They insult me with their lips. They shake their heads," The psalm of the suffering righteous one.
John 2:19: "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The saying the mockers twisted.
Matthew 27:39: "Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads," Matthew’s parallel account.
Mark 8:35: "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it;" The principle Jesus lived out on the cross.
Conclusion: People passing the cross shook their heads and mocked Jesus, twisting his words about destroying and rebuilding the temple and daring him to save himself and come down. Their scorn fulfilled Psalm 22, and their taunt ironically pointed to the truth: the temple of his body was being destroyed and would be raised in three days. By refusing to save himself, Jesus saved others.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible