Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.
Christ.
Mark 14:61,62 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? …
Isaiah 44:6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
Zephaniah 3:15 The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.
that.
Romans 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
2 Timothy 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
And.
Matthew 27:44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
Luke 23:39-43 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us…
so that we may see and believe!
This statement highlights the misunderstanding of faith by the onlookers. Biblical faith is not based on seeing miracles but on trusting God's promises (Hebrews 11:1). The demand for a sign echoes the Pharisees' earlier requests for a sign from Jesus (Matthew 12:38-39). True belief in Jesus comes from understanding His teachings and recognizing His fulfillment of prophecy, not merely witnessing miraculous acts. This moment underscores the spiritual blindness of those who witnessed Jesus' ministry yet failed to recognize Him as the Messiah.
And even those who were crucified with Him berated Him.
This refers to the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus. Initially, both mocked Him, as recorded in Matthew 27:44. However, Luke 23:39-43 provides additional insight, revealing that one of the criminals later repented and asked Jesus to remember him in His kingdom. This change of heart demonstrates the transformative power of Jesus' presence and the possibility of redemption even at the last moment. The mockery from the criminals also fulfills the prophecy of Psalm 22:7-8, which describes the suffering servant being scorned by those around Him.
• The onlookers knew the title “Christ” (Messiah) and used it sarcastically, echoing Psalm 22:7–8 and Isaiah 53:3.
• Their mockery does not change the truth: Jesus is the promised “Anointed One” affirmed in Matthew 16:16 and John 1:41.
• The scene fulfills prophetic expectation that the Messiah would be despised (Isaiah 53:3) yet remain steadfast in His mission (Luke 9:51).
• By adding “King of Israel,” they ridicule both His spiritual office and His royal lineage from David (2 Samuel 7:12–13; Luke 1:32–33).
• Earlier, the crowds hailed Him with the same title in triumph (John 12:13), yet now the leaders twist it in scorn (John 19:21).
• Scripture presents Jesus as the rightful eternal King (Psalm 2:6; Revelation 19:16), whether people acknowledge it or not.
• They demand a display of raw power, mirroring Satan’s earlier temptation to bypass suffering (Matthew 4:6).
• Jesus could have summoned “more than twelve legions of angels” (Matthew 26:53), but He remained to fulfill Isaiah 53:5 and Hebrews 12:2.
• The cross is not weakness but divine strategy to atone for sin (1 Peter 2:24; Colossians 2:14–15).
• They claim faith would follow a visible sign, yet previous miracles had not produced repentance (John 6:30–36).
• True belief is a heart response to God’s revelation, not a demand for proof on human terms (Luke 16:31; John 20:29).
• Their words expose unbelief that prefers spectacle over submission (1 Corinthians 1:22–24).
• Both criminals initially joined the mockery (Matthew 27:44).
• One later turned in faith (Luke 23:39–43), illustrating that grace can reach the vilest sinner—even moments before death.
• The shared taunts underscore humanity’s universal guilt (Romans 3:10–12) and Christ’s solitary faithfulness (Isaiah 63:3).
Mark 15:32 records scorn wrapped in titles that actually affirm Jesus’ identity. The crowd and crucified thieves demand a spectacular rescue, blind to the greater rescue Jesus is accomplishing by staying on the cross. Their unbelief contrasts with His steadfast obedience, fulfilling prophecy, securing atonement, and unveiling the true nature of saving faith: trusting the crucified King, not testing Him.
(32) Let Christ.--Better, the Christ. The article is emphatic, and the word had not yet come to be used only as a name.Verse 32. - Christ might have come down from the cross; but he would not, because it was his Father's will that he should die upon the cross to redeem us from death. So he despised the taunts of the wicked, that he might teach us by his example to do the same. If he had chosen to descend from the cross, he would not have ascended. He knew that the death upon the cross was necessary for the salvation of men; and therefore he would go through the whole. He withheld the exercise of his power. His omnipotence restrained the natural longings of his suffering humanity to escape from these unutterable torments. So he would not come down from the cross, although within three days he would rise from the grave. And yet there was no word of indignation against his tormentors. On the contrary, he proclaimed mercy; for as he hung on his cross he said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."