Lukas 23:35

35 And HaAm had stood watching. And the manhigim were mocking him also, saying, Others he saved, let him save himself, if this one is the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach of Hashem, the Bechir Hashem. [Psa 22:17; Isa 42:1]

Lukas 23:35 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 23:35

And the people stood beholding
This dismal and affecting sight; insulting and reviling him, and wagging their heads at him, as did also those that passed by: and the rulers also with them derided him; the chief priests, Scribes, and elders, the members of the sanhedrim, whose characters should have restrained them from such an inhuman conduct. The phrase, "with them", is wanting in the Oriental versions, and in one of Beza's copies: saying,

he saved others;
by healing their diseases, or raising them from the dead:

let him save himself;
from death, by unnailing himself, and coming down from the cross; (See Gill on Matthew 27:42)

if he be Christ;
the Messiah, he and his followers give out he is; even the chosen of God, referring to ( Isaiah 42:1 ) . The Arabic version reads, "the chosen Son of God", very wrongly; for Christ was not chosen to be the Son of God; he was so by nature; but he was chosen to be a servant, as the text cited shows, to be a Mediator between God and man, and the Saviour of his people.

Lukas 23:35 In-Context

33 And when they came upon the place being called The Skull, there they hanged each on his etz, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach and the POSHA’IM (criminals, YESHAYAH 53:12), one on the right, and one on the left.

34 But Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach was saying, Abba, grant selicha to them, for they have no daas of what they are doing. And dividing up his garments, VAPPILU GORAL (they cast lots). [TEHILLIM 22:19(18)]

35 And HaAm had stood watching. And the manhigim were mocking him also, saying, Others he saved, let him save himself, if this one is the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach of Hashem, the Bechir Hashem. [Psa 22:17; Isa 42:1]

36 And the chaiyalim also ridiculed him as they approached, offering CHOMETZ (wine vinegar Psa 69:21) to him, [Psa 22:7]

37 and saying, If you are HaMelech HaYehudim, save yourself.