“He saved others, but he can’t save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 42. If he be the king of Israel. Pilate having written on the inscription set upon the cross, that Christ was the king of Israel, the Jews endeavoured to persuade him to remove or alter it; but Pilate gave them for answer, according to Saint John, “what I have written, I have written.” The Jews, therefore, wishing to shew that he was not their king, said with insulting scorn, “if he be the king of Israel, let him come down from the cross,” (Saint John Chrysostom) “and we will believe him.” Falsehood and deceit are stamped upon these words of the Jewish priests; for, whether is it more difficult to descend from his cross, being yet alive, or, being dead, to raise himself from the tomb? He rose again, and you did not believe; had he descended from the cross, you would have been equally incredulous. S. Jerom.