35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."
36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."
38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Thank goodness Jesus did not move on their taunting advice else all of humanity would have certainly been cooked. As the onlookers stood carefully observing the details to gain a more accurate view of the happenings in order to somehow ascertain their meaning, the rulers continued in a ridiculed mockery. “He saved others; let Him save Himself” their mantra rang – if He indeed was the chosen one then He could do anything. Why would any Monarch subject Himself to such torture? Why on earth would the King of the Jews abase Himself in such a way? Why, indeed? They were correct in their mocked assumptions yet all the while totally missing the mark. If He had saved Himself, albeit justly and rightly so, all of mankind would have been forever doomed. He chose to disregard safely delivering Himself from danger and destruction in order to avert this calamity upon all of humanity. Amazing love indeed!
5 I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm worked salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me. Isaiah 63:5 (NIV)
10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. 11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light [of life] and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Isaiah 53:10-11 (NIV)
For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12 (NIV)
16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)
Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2 (NIV)
Jesus willingly followed God’s plan and by His death satisfied God’s righteous demands for judgment against sin thereby opening a way for everyone to come to God through faith in His Son.
15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." John 10:15-18 (NIV)
40 For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:40 (NIV)
10 Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:10-12 (NIV)
“Each believer has God’s truth in his heart. By contrast, anyone who disbelieves God has made Him out to be a liar. For John there was no middle ground, no suspension of opinion. One either believes or he impugns God’s veracity.” Bible Knowledge Commentary
20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Cor 5:20-21 (NIV)
“The Cross epitomized the love of God and of Christ. The Savior was sinless: He had no sin. He was “without sin”, and “in Him is no sin”. He took on Himself the sin of the world. God made Him... to be sin for us. The sins of the world were placed on Him so that, in turn, His righteousness could be given those who trust Him and are thus in Him. That gift of righteousness is obtainable only by faith.” Bible Knowledge Commentary
Thus the notice written above Him proclaimed the truth regarding the Truth:
“THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS”