Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 15:29

"And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ha! Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days," — Mark 15:29 (ASV)

The Crucifixion obviously took place in a public area, perhaps beside a thoroughfare where people were coming and going. As they passed by, they took the opportunity to vent their hostility on Jesus, using words that echo the OT (cf. Psalms 22:7; Lamentations 2:15). They particularly remembered the charge made against him of destroying and rebuilding the temple (cf. 14:58), and they threw that into his teeth. Surely if he could destroy and rebuild the temple, he could save himself now!