The charge that Jesus said he would destroy the temple and build it in three days was made against him at his trial (26.61). Many translators break this sentence into two: “You were going to destroy the Temple and then build it back in three days. Now save yourself!” Some also tie this latter clause to what follows: “Save yourself if you are the Son of God.”

If you are the Son of God recalls the temptation in the wilderness (4.3, 6).

The order may be more natural if rearranged: “If you are God’s Son, then free yourself and come down from the cross!” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch).

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .