The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself!
Parallel translations
- WEB Likewise, also the chief priests mocking among themselves with the scribes said, “He saved others. He can’t save himself.
- KJV Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.
- BSB In the same way, the chief priests and scribes mocked Him among themselves, saying, “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself!
- NKJV Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save.
- NASB In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The chief priests and scribes mock that he saved others but cannot save himself. Their taunt unknowingly states the gospel.
Overview
Israel's religious leaders join the scorn, sneering at Jesus' record of healing and rescue. Their words contain a profound truth: it was because he would not save himself that he could save others. His refusal to come down was the very means of redemption.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- John 12:23–24Jesus answered them, “The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
- Ps 22:16–17For dogs have surrounded me. A company of evildoers have enclosed me. They have pierced my hands and feet.
- Ps 2:1–4Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?
- Luke 23:35–37The people stood watching. The rulers with them also scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen one!”
- John 11:47–52The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, “What are we doing? For this man does many signs.
- 1 Pet 3:17–18For it is better, if it is God’s will, that you suffer for doing well than for doing evil.
- Matt 27:41–43Likewise the chief priests also mocking, with the scribes, the Pharisees, and the elders, said,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 15:31 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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