Definition: He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Matthew 27:42. It’s a really important and complex verse, and it speaks to Jesus’s sacrifice and what happens after. Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is about Jesus’s intention after he was crucified. He wants people to believe in him as King of Israel – which is a huge deal for the Jewish people at that time. He’s essentially saying, “I’ve done what I needed to do – I sacrificed myself for humanity. Now, let me come down from the cross and be recognized as your leader.” Let's unpack it piece by piece: “He saved others; himself he cannot save.” This is a key part of the statement. Jesus was saving people – meaning he was offering forgiveness, comfort, and hope to those who were suffering and lost. However, he couldn’t save himself . This speaks to his ultimate sacrifice. “If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross…” This is where it gets really significant. Jesus was raised up from the dead, but he still had a specific role in Jewish history – being King of Israel. He’s suggesting that if he becomes King of Israel, he wants to return to his crucifixion as a symbolic act of sacrifice and redemption. “we will believe him.” This is the crucial part. The people of Israel were deeply divided. They were looking for a leader who would restore their land, their traditions, and their peace. Jesus’s return as King of Israel was seen as a way to bring about that restoration – to heal the brokenness in the world. What does this mean practically? It's about redemption: It's about offering forgiveness and restoring something that was lost or damaged. It’s about hope: The verse offers hope for a future where things are healed and restored. It's a powerful message of sacrifice: Jesus willingly gave his life to save us, and now he wants to return to show our forgiveness and healing through his actions. Important Context (briefly): This passage comes before Jesus’s resurrection, so it's essentially a declaration of what Jesus intends to do. It’s a move towards a new era of hope and restoration for the Jewish people. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part in more detail? Give you another example from the Bible?