Matthew 27:39

39 The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery.

Matthew 27:39 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 27:39

And they that passed by
In the road to or from Jerusalem; for, it seems, the crosses were placed by the wayside; or they who passed by the cross, the populace that came from Jerusalem, on purpose to see the sight,

reviled him,
or "blasphemed him": they spoke all manner of evil of him, they could think of, to which he answered not a word; and which may teach us patience under the revilings of men: this was foretold of him, ( Psalms 89:51 ) , "they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed", or "Messiah"; and which Jarchi explains by (ypwo) , "the ends of the king Messiah"; his last times, towards the close of his days; and cites that passage in the Misna ^F26,

``in the heels, or, as Buxtorf renders it, in the end of the days of the Messiah impudence shall be multiplied,''

as it now was exceedingly:

wagging their heads;
in derision of him, and as exulting in his misery; see ( Isaiah 37:22 ) ( Lamentations 2:15 ) . This also was prophesied of him in ( Psalms 22:7 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 Sota, c. 9. sect. 15.

Matthew 27:39 In-Context

37 A sign was fastened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”

38 Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

39 The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery.

40 “Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!”

41 The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus.