The Open Mockery of the Son of God (27:38-44).
Having been mocked by the soldiers prior to His crucifixion Jesus must now face the mockery of His own nation. It begins with ‘those who pass by', it continues with the Chief Priests and Scribes and Elders, and it ends with the two insurrectionists between whom He hangs. All are involved, apart from the faithful few who in their agony gaze on their beloved Master in His shame. We return again to the chiasmus formula for the remainder of the Gospel. The moments that have changed the shape of the world have passed.
Analysis.
a Then are there crucified with Him two insurrectionists, one on the right hand and one on the left (Matthew 27:38).
b And those who passed by railed on Him, wagging their heads, and saying, “You who will destroy the temple, and build it in three days, save yourself. If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross” (Matthew 27:39-40).
c In the same way also the chief priests mocking Him, with the scribes and elders, said, “He saved others; himself he cannot save. He is the King of Israel. Let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe on him.” '
b “He trusts on God. Let him deliver him now, if he desires him, for he said, I am the Son of God” (Matthew 27:44).
a And the insurrectionists also who were crucified with Him cast on Him the same reproach (Matthew 27:45).
Note that in ‘a' the insurrectionists (people's heroes) are crucified with Him, and in the parallel they mock Him. In ‘b' the passers-by mock His claim to have been the Son of God, and in the parallel the leaders of the Jews do the same. Centrally the leaders of the Jews mock the idea that He is the King of Israel (the King of the Jews).