Luke 23:37 kjv
And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
Luke 23:37 nkjv
and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."
Luke 23:37 niv
and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."
Luke 23:37 esv
and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!"
Luke 23:37 nlt
They called out to him, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!"
Luke 23 37 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 27:39 | And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads | Fulfillment of prophecy (Psa 22:7) |
| Mark 15:29 | And they that passed by came not nigh him, and mocked him, wagging their heads | Observes the same action of mocking |
| Luke 23:11 | And Herod with his men of war set him at naught, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate | Another instance of mockery before crucifixion |
| John 8:48 | Then answered they, Art thou a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Wherefore hearest thou me? | Similar accusations of demon possession |
| Acts 2:36 | Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ | Proclaims Jesus as Lord and Christ despite the mockery |
| 1 Cor 1:23 | But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness | Highlights the scandal of the cross to some |
| Gal 3:1 | O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been set forth, crucified among you? | Similar concept of Christ being visibly presented as crucified |
| Heb 12:2 | Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame | Jesus' perspective amidst shame and suffering |
| 1 Pet 2:23 | Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously | Jesus' response to reviling |
| Psa 22:8 | He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. | Old Testament prophecy mirroring the taunt |
| Isa 53:7 | He was oppressed, and he was afflicted; yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. | Jesus' silence under accusation |
| Matt 4:3 | And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the son of God, command that these stones be made bread. | Satan's temptation of Jesus to use his divine power |
| John 10:30 | I and my Father are one. | Jesus' affirmation of his divine sonship |
| John 19:15 | But they cried out again, Away with him, away with him, crucify him! Then said Pilate, Shall I crucify your king? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. | The rejection of Jesus' kingship |
| John 19:21 | The chief priests of the Jews therefore said unto Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am the King of the Jews. | Further rejection of his royal title |
| Luke 23:42 | And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. | The confession of faith by the thief |
| Luke 23:46 | And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. | Jesus' final words of trust |
| Psa 22:1 | My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? | Echoes of psalm of suffering on the cross |
| Mark 15:31 | Likewise also the chief priests mocking said one to another with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. | Repetition of the mocking taunt |
| Matt 27:42 | They that are going through say: "If you are God's Son, come down from the cross!" | A very similar mocking accusation |
Luke 23 verses
Luke 23 37 Meaning
The verse describes the accusatory words spoken by the people as Jesus was being crucified. They mock him, suggesting that if he is the "King of the Jews" as he has been proclaimed, he should save himself, implying that he should escape his current predicament.
Luke 23 37 Context
This verse is set during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Jesus has been falsely accused, condemned, and is now being publicly executed. As he hangs on the cross, various people passing by, including the chief priests and the rulers, join in the mockery. They are repeating and amplifying the insults Jesus faced during his trial. The focus is on the public humiliation and scorn directed at Jesus, challenging his claims of kingship and divine identity. This is a peak moment of opposition and suffering for Jesus before his eventual death.
Luke 23 37 Word analysis
- And (καὶ - kai): Conjunction linking this statement to previous actions or events, signifying addition.
- they (αὐτοὶ - autoí): Refers to the chief priests, scribes, elders, and others present who were actively participating in the mocking.
- that (οἱ - hoi): Definite article preceding "that passed by," referring to those moving along the way of crucifixion.
- passed by (παρεπόρευον - parepóreúon): Imperfect indicative verb, suggesting continuous action or movement; people going by.
- reviled (ἐλοιδόρουν - eloidóroun): Imperfect indicative verb, indicating a continued or repeated action of verbal abuse and insult.
- him (αὐτόν - autóv): Direct object pronoun, referring to Jesus Christ.
- wagging (κουνῶντες - kounōntes): Present active participle of κουνέω (kounéō), meaning to shake, move to and fro; referring to a gesture of derision.
- their (τὴν - tēn): Definite article preceding "head."
- head (κεφαλὴν - kefalín): Accusative noun, singular; refers to their own heads.
- groups of words-group analysis: "they that passed by reviled him, wagging their head" encapsulates a collective and continuous act of scorn, highlighting both verbal abuse and a contemptuous physical gesture common in the ancient world as a sign of derision or disapproval.
Luke 23 37 Bonus section
This verse is a direct fulfillment of Psalm 22:7, "All who see me mock me; they make their mouths wide and shake their heads." This demonstrates the prophetic dimension of Jesus' suffering. The "shaking of the head" was a universally understood sign of scorn and contempt, signifying the derision Jesus endured from all strata of society present at the crucifixion, including the leaders who should have recognized him. The repeated mocking reveals the persistent rejection of Jesus' kingship by those in power, who ultimately favored Caesar over the promised King of Israel (John 19:15).
Luke 23 37 Commentary
The taunting nature of this verse underscores the deep-seated animosity and disbelief the religious authorities and the crowd harbored towards Jesus. Their challenge, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" directly confronts Jesus' declared identity and perceived mission. This mockery highlights their inability to comprehend or accept a messianic figure who would suffer and die rather than overthrow Roman rule or deliver himself through miraculous power. It echoes the temptation in the wilderness where Jesus refused to use his divine power for self-gratification. The gesture of shaking their heads signifies contempt, a clear rejection of Jesus and his claims, even as he endures the ultimate suffering for mankind.