Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 23:35

"And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also scoffed at him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen." — Luke 23:35 (ASV)

Luke’s wording here suggests that the “people” (see comment on vv.13–16) are still passive rather than hostile, while everyone else, “even” the rulers, sneered. The word “saved” does not mean that the rulers believed in the claim of Jesus to forgive people but alludes to his reputation for restoring the sick and disturbed. For Christ as “the Chosen One,” see comment on 9:35.