Luke 23 39

Luke 23:39 kjv

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

Luke 23:39 nkjv

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."

Luke 23:39 niv

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!"

Luke 23:39 esv

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

Luke 23:39 nlt

One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, "So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself ? and us, too, while you're at it!"

Luke 23 verses

Luke 23 39 Meaning

Luke 23:39 describes one of the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus who mocked Him by saying, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us." This demonstrates an utter lack of faith and understanding, expressing scorn and challenging Jesus' messianic identity while demanding immediate physical salvation rather than spiritual redemption. It starkly contrasts with the repentant attitude of the other criminal, highlighting the division among those who witnessed Jesus' crucifixion.

Luke 23 39 Context

Luke 23:39 is set immediately after the crucifixion of Jesus and two criminals at Golgotha, a scene of immense suffering and public spectacle (Lk 23:33-38). The prior verses detail the initial mockery from the religious rulers and Roman soldiers. This particular verse highlights the diverse human responses to Jesus even in His final agony on the cross, demonstrating that not all those present grasped His divine nature or mission. It serves as a direct lead-in to the profound contrast provided by the conversion of the second criminal (Lk 23:40-43), thereby setting the stage for one of the most remarkable acts of faith in the Gospels. Historically, crucifixions were common Roman methods of execution, particularly for insurrectionists and severe criminals, intended to deter others and demonstrate Roman power. Jesus being "numbered with the transgressors" (Isa 53:12, Lk 22:37) placed Him amidst this lowest rung of society, a profound aspect of His humility and redemptive work.

Luke 23 39 Word analysis

• One: Greek heis (εἷς). Signifies individuality among the criminals. Not both, but specifically one.
• of the criminals: Greek tōn kakourgōn (τῶν κακούργων). Literally "evildoers," "malefactors," or "villains." Luke specifically uses this term, rather than the more general lēstēs (robbers/bandits) found in other Gospels, perhaps emphasizing their wicked character and justifying their execution, thus intensifying the contrast with the innocent Jesus.
• who were hanged: Greek tōn kremasthenōni (τῶν κρεμασθέντων). Refers to the method of execution, crucifixion. It is passive, emphasizing their status as condemned subjects. The criminal's mocking shows a self-focus, not an acknowledgement of their just deserts.
• railed at Him: Greek eblasphēmei auton (ἐβλασφήμει αὐτόν). This is the imperfect tense of blasphemeō (βλασφημέω), meaning "to revile," "to slander," "to speak impiously or abusively against." The imperfect tense suggests a continuous action, implying that the criminal was persistently reviling Jesus, not just saying a single utterance. This word carries a strong connotation of speaking sacrilegiously against divine power or a divine figure.
• saying: Greek legōn (λέγων). Introduces the direct speech that follows.
• Are You not: Greek Ouchi (οὐχί) + question. Ouchi is a particle expecting a negative answer. This isn't a genuine question seeking affirmation, but a scornful rhetorical question, already convinced of Jesus' failure to prove His claims.
• the Christ?: Greek ho Christos (ὁ Χριστός). Refers to the Messiah, the Anointed One, the promised deliverer of Israel. The criminal challenges Jesus' identity in a derisive manner, seeing no evidence of divine power or messianic authority in His present suffering.
• Save Yourself: Greek Sōson seauton (Σῶσον σεαυτόν). A command in the imperative mood. It is a demand for self-preservation, not a humble plea. This echoes the mockery of the rulers and soldiers (Lk 23:35, 37) and is characteristic of the carnal mind that prioritizes immediate, earthly rescue over spiritual salvation.
• and us: Greek kai hēmas (καὶ ἡμᾶς). Adds the criminal's selfish desire for his own physical deliverance, implicitly contingent on Jesus first saving Himself. There is no element of repentance, only a desperate cry for release from their earthly predicament, which they believe Jesus, if truly the Christ, should be able to grant.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• One of the criminals who were hanged railed at Him: This phrase emphasizes that not all those subjected to this punishment responded similarly. The term "criminals" underscores that this mocking came from a morally culpable individual, making his contempt all the more jarring, especially in contrast to Jesus' innocence and the other criminal's repentance. "Railed at Him" using blasphemeō shows the intensity and blasphemous nature of his verbal assault, attacking Jesus' very claims of identity and power, even from the edge of death.
• Are You not the Christ?: This sarcastic rhetorical question dismisses Jesus' messianic claim by challenging Him to demonstrate power through immediate physical escape. It is born of unbelief and a desire for tangible, earthly evidence of power, entirely missing the spiritual nature of Christ's kingdom and the redemptive purpose of His suffering. It directly assaults Jesus' core identity.
• Save Yourself and us: This is a demand rather than a request. It reveals the criminal's focus on self-preservation and worldly rescue, characteristic of a mind centered on earthly well-being. There's no hint of repentance for his sins, only an impatient command for a superficial, immediate solution. This desire for physical salvation, devoid of any recognition of his spiritual plight, highlights the fundamental difference between faith that seeks redemption and a cynical request for relief.

Luke 23 39 Bonus section

• The timing of this criminal's mockery is significant: it occurs during Jesus' most intense physical and spiritual agony, adding to the burden of His suffering by exposing Him to yet more contempt and spiritual assault from one of the very transgressors for whom He was dying.
• This scene, alongside the other criminal's conversion, illustrates the sovereign grace of God (or its absence for those who refuse it) even at the precipice of death. Two men, same dire circumstances, vastly different responses to Christ, revealing two eternal destinies.
• The phrase "Save Yourself" carries an ironic weight given Jesus' ultimate mission: He could have saved Himself from the cross but chose not to, precisely to "save us" spiritually and eternally. The criminal’s taunt fundamentally misunderstands divine power, equating it only with immediate physical deliverance.

Luke 23 39 Commentary

Luke 23:39 presents a poignant scene on Golgotha, showcasing the spiritual state of humanity confronted by the suffering Christ. The criminal's derision is more than just scorn; it's an overt blasphemy, striking at the core of Jesus' identity as the Christ. His challenge, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us," reflects not only a hardened heart but also a profound misapprehension of what it means for Jesus to be the Messiah. He seeks a Messiah who delivers physically and immediately from suffering, completely missing the redemptive spiritual suffering that Jesus was enduring on behalf of humanity's sin. This utterance encapsulates the world's unbelief, pride, and demand for proof on its own terms, contrasting sharply with the divine nature of God's love shown in Jesus' humility and sacrifice. This criminal represents those who, despite witnessing overwhelming evidence of divine presence, remain in stubborn defiance, demanding earthly glory from a Heavenly King. It serves as a stark reminder of humanity's propensity to reject God even when grace is fully revealed.