Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 15:31

"In like manner also the chief priests mocking [him] among themselves with the scribes said, He saved others; himself he cannot save." — Mark 15:31 (ASV)

The chief priests and teachers of the law were also there to add their mockery to that of those who passed by. This must have been especially difficult for Jesus to bear. As the spiritual leaders of the people, they should have championed Jesus’ cause; instead, they had condemned him and demanded his crucifixion. Yet in their mockery, they unconsciously bore witness to his miraculous powers: “He saved others” —a reference to his healing miracles and perhaps the raising of Lazarus. Their statement “he can’t save himself” is both false (he had the power to save himself) and true (if Jesus was to fulfill his messianic mission, he could not save himself).

The epithet “This Christ, this King of Israel” is full of derision. The religious leaders were mocking his claim to be the King of the people of God. And they tauntingly demanded a demonstration of his power—“come down from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Jesus also had to bear the insults of the criminals who were crucified on either side of him (but see also Lk 23:39-43).