King James Version

What Does Mark 15:31 Mean?

Mark 15:31 in the King James Version says “Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.” — study this verse from Mark chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.”

Mark 15:31 · KJV

Salvation

Context

29

And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,

30

Save thyself, and come down from the cross.

31

Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.

32

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.

33

And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.

Read Mark 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save—The religious elite join the mockery. Their statement is theologically brilliant while spiritually blind: allous esōsen, heauton ou dynatai sōsai (ἄλλους ἔσωσεν, ἑαυτὸν οὐ δύναται σῶσαι)—'Others He saved; Himself He cannot save.' The verb sōzō (σῴζω) means 'save/heal/deliver,' used throughout Mark for Jesus' miracles (5:23, 5:28, 6:56, 10:52).

They speak truth beyond their comprehension. Yes, He saved others through healing miracles—and yes, He cannot save Himself WHILE saving humanity. The atonement requires substitution: the Savior cannot simultaneously be saved and save. Their mockery inadvertently proclaims the gospel: Jesus chose our salvation over His own deliverance. Unlike religious hypocrites who demand others' sacrifice while preserving themselves, Jesus practiced ultimate self-giving. The chief priests meant this as ridicule; God meant it as revelation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Chief priests and scribes represented Judaism's religious aristocracy—Sadducees who controlled the Temple and Pharisaic legal scholars. Their presence at Golgotha wasn't required; they came deliberately to witness Jesus' death and mock His messianic claims. Their statement reveals their theological expectation: a true Messiah would demonstrate invincible power, not die powerlessly. They couldn't conceive that Messianic suffering was prophetically mandated (Isaiah 53; Psalm 22). Their mockery exposed their hardness: even watching fulfilled prophecy, they remained blind.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' choice—saving others rather than Himself—challenge your understanding of biblical leadership and greatness?
  2. What does the religious leaders' unwitting proclamation of gospel truth reveal about God's sovereignty over human opposition?
  3. In what ways are you tempted to preserve yourself rather than sacrifice for others' spiritual good?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 18 words
ὁμοίως1 of 18
G3668

similarly

δὲ2 of 18

“Likewise”

G1161

but, and, etc

καὶ3 of 18

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οἱ4 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀρχιερεῖς5 of 18

“the chief priests”

G749

the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest

ἐμπαίζοντες6 of 18

“mocking”

G1702

to jeer at, i.e., deride

πρὸς7 of 18

“among”

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

ἀλλήλους8 of 18

“themselves”

G240

one another

μετὰ9 of 18

“with”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

τῶν10 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γραμματέων11 of 18

“the scribes”

G1122

a professional writer

ἔλεγον12 of 18

“said”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Ἄλλους13 of 18

“others”

G243

"else," i.e., different (in many applications)

σῶσαι·14 of 18

“He saved”

G4982

to save, i.e., deliver or protect (literally or figuratively)

ἑαυτὸν15 of 18

“himself”

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

οὐ16 of 18

“he cannot”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

δύναται17 of 18
G1410

to be able or possible

σῶσαι·18 of 18

“He saved”

G4982

to save, i.e., deliver or protect (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 15:31 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 15:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 12:23-24John 11:47-52Psalms 2:1-4Luke 23:35-371 Peter 3:17-18Matthew 27:41-43

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