“Those who passed by
Derided Jesus.
They were shaking
Their heads.
Saying.
‘Aha!
You who would destroy
The Temple
And build it
In three days,
Save yourself!
Come down
From the cross!’”
Καὶ οἱ παραπορευόμενοι ἐβλασφήμουν αὐτὸν κινοῦντες τὰς κεφαλὰς αὐτῶν καὶ λέγοντες Οὐὰ ὁ καταλύων τὸν ναὸν καὶ οἰκοδομῶν ἐν τρισὶν ἡμέραις,
σῶσον σεαυτὸν καταβὰς ἀπὸ τοῦ σταυροῦ.
This is almost word for word in Matthew, chapter 27:39-40. In Luke, chapter 23:35-37, the religious leaders and the soldiers were doing the mocking, not the passersby people. However, John did not have anyone making remarks about Jesus. Mark said that some people passing by abused and derided Jesus (Καὶ οἱ παραπορευόμενοι ἐβλασφήμουν αὐτὸν). They shook their heads at Jesus (κινοῦντες τὰς κεφαλὰς αὐτῶν). They said “Aha! (Οὐὰ),” as they reminded Jesus that he had said (καὶ λέγοντες) if the Temple was destroyed (ὁ καταλύων τὸν ναὸν), he would rebuild it in three days (καὶ οἰκοδομῶν ἐν τρισὶν ἡμέραις). They told Jesus to save himself (σῶσον σεαυτὸν). Why didn’t he come down from the cross (καταβὰς ἀπὸ τοῦ σταυροῦ)? The taunting of these people seemed to turn on Jesus’ own words. It would be surprising if many people came by the cross.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 