Matthew 27:43
He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
Original Language Analysis
πέποιθεν
He trusted
G3982
πέποιθεν
He trusted
Strong's:
G3982
Word #:
1 of 16
to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence
ἐπὶ
in
G1909
ἐπὶ
in
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
2 of 16
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Θεοῦ
God
G2316
Θεοῦ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
4 of 16
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ῥυσάσθω
let him deliver
G4506
ῥυσάσθω
let him deliver
Strong's:
G4506
Word #:
5 of 16
compare g4511); to rush or draw (for oneself), i.e., rescue
νῦν
now
G3568
νῦν
now
Strong's:
G3568
Word #:
6 of 16
"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate
αὐτόν,
him
G846
αὐτόν,
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
θέλει
he will have
G2309
θέλει
he will have
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
9 of 16
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
αὐτόν,
him
G846
αὐτόν,
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
12 of 16
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ὅτι
G3754
Historical Context
Jewish theology held that God delivers the righteous (Psalm 34:19, Daniel 3:17). That Jesus hangs undelivered 'proved' to mockers that his claims were false. They could not conceive that God's deliverance would come through death and resurrection, not escape from death.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's trust in the Father—even through forsakenness—model ultimate faith (Hebrews 5:7-8)?
- What does God's 'delay' in deliverance teach about trusting God's plan when circumstances seem to contradict his promises?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him—quoting Psalm 22:8 almost verbatim, yet blind to its prophetic nature. For he said, I am the Son of God—they accurately report Jesus's claim (Matthew 26:63-64) while mocking it.
The darkest irony: God WILL deliver him—through death into resurrection. The Father's silence (soon to be broken by earthquake and torn veil) is not absence but sovereign plan. Jesus trusts the Father even when the Father hides his face (v. 46). Trust persists through forsakenness—the deepest mystery of the cross.