Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 27:41-43

"In like manner also the chief priests mocking [him], with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. He is the King of Israel; let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe on him. He trusteth on God; let him deliver him now, if he desireth him: for he said, I am the Son of God." — Matthew 27:41-43 (ASV)

The chief priests, with the scribes and elders, forgetting their high station and rank, joined the jeering crowd in mocking Jesus in His agony of death. Every word was emphatic; every syllable cut and pierced our Lord to the heart.

They mocked Him as a Savior, “He saved others; himself he cannot save.” They mocked Him as a King, “If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.” They mocked Him as a believer, “He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him.” They mocked Him as the Son of God, “For he said, I am the Son of God.”

Those who say that Christ was a good man virtually admit His deity, for He claimed to be the Son of God. If He was not what He professed to be, He was an impostor. Notice the testimony that Christ’s bitterest enemies bore even as they reviled Him: “He saved others.” “He is the King of Israel” (R.V.). “He trusted in God.”

Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

The chief priests, with the scribes and elders, forgetting their high station and rank, joined the scoffing crowd in mocking Jesus in his death pangs. Every word was emphatic; every syllable cut and pierced our Lord to the heart. They mocked him as a Savior; He saved others; himself he cannot save. They mocked him as a King; If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. They mocked him as a believer; He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him. They mocked him as the Son of God; For he said, I am the Son of God.

Those who say that Christ was a good man virtually admit his deity, for he claimed to be the Son of God. If he was not what he professed to be, he was an impostor. Notice the testimony that Christ's bitterest enemies bore even as they reviled him: He saved others; He is the King of Israel (R.V.); He trusted in God.