The soldiers at the Cross joined in, “If you are the King of the Jews,” they laughed, “save yourself!” (NRSV, Luke 23:17).

The jeers roused one of the robbers to fury.  Jesus belonged to a world altogether different from his own, and therefore he hated him.  Jesus was the only one whom he could hurt now.  He turned his head and, picking up the taunt of the onlookers, hurled it at Jesus with a bitterness made the more intense by his own plight.  “If you are the Messiah save yourself – and us” (Luke 23:39).  He had never had much faith in his fellowmen and now he had lost all in himself.  A dreadful despair settled on his soul and he abandoned himself to the powers of evil, an easy prey.