Luke 23:37 Meaning and Explanation
“And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The soldiers taunt him: if you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.
What Does Luke 23:37 Mean?
The soldiers' jeer repeats the rulers' logic from below the cross: kingship should prove itself by self-rescue. It is the wilderness temptation returned in armor — “If thou be the Son of God” (Luke 4:3) — now aimed at a dying man.
Every save thyself misunderstands him completely. He has the power to come down and the love that will not (John 10:18). The King reigns by giving himself, not by sparing himself; his refusal of the taunt is our salvation. Where our race grasps at self-preservation, the Son holds fast to the Father's will — and saves the very world that mocked him.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 23:37
What does Luke 23:37 mean?
The soldiers taunt him: if you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.