15:31a

In the same way: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as In the same way indicates that the Jewish leaders insulted and mocked Jesus just as the people walking by had done.

Here is another way to translate this word:

The leading priests and the teachers of the law were also making fun of Jesus. (New Century Version)

chief priests: A Jewish priest was a man who offered sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. He also performed other rituals for them. The phrase chief priests refers to the leaders among these priests.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

the leading/ruling priests
-or-
the elders among the Jewish sacrificers
-or-
the most prominent priests

This term also occurs in 15:10.

scribes: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as scribes is sometimes translated as “teachers of the law” (as in the New International Version). The original work of these men was to copy the laws of Moses by hand. In New Testament times, their main task was to study, interpret, and teach the law of Moses and related Jewish laws and traditions.

Here are some other ways to translate this term:

teachers of the Law of Moses (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
teachers of religious law (New Living Translation)
-or-
teachers of the law of the Jews
-or-
the experts on the law

This word also occurs in 15:1b. See also teacher of the law in the Glossary for more information.

mocked Him among themselves, saying: The form of the Greek verbs that the Greek translates as mocked and saying indicates that the Jewish leaders repeatedly mocked Jesus. Consider using a verb form or another way in your language to indicate this. For example, the New Revised Standard Version says:

the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him

among themselves: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as among themselves indicates that the Jewish leaders were speaking to one another as they mocked Jesus. However, it is likely that they spoke loud enough for Jesus to hear their words of mockery. The New Century Version has another way to translate this:

They said to each other…

saying: The Berean Standard Bible places the words saying in the middle of the quoted speech. In Greek, the verb translated as saying occurs before words that they said. Place this verb where it is natural in your language.

15:31b

“He saved others, but He cannot save Himself!: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as saved and save has several meanings. It can mean “help,” “heal,” and “rescue/save.” The word saved in the clause He saved others can mean both “healed” and “rescued.” It refers to the times when Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead.

others, but He cannot save Himself!: In Greek, the words others and Himself are emphasized and contrasted. Literally it says: “others he saved, himself he cannot save.” Many English versions have supplied the conjunction but in order to indicate a contrast. Show the emphasis and contrast in a way that is natural in your language.

The word save in the clause He cannot save Himself means “rescue/save.” The leaders believed that he could not rescue himself from dying on the cross.

You should use a word that means “to save/rescue from death.” If you have a word that can be used both for rescuing (healing) someone from sickness and rescuing someone from death, it would be good to use it here.

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