Luke 22:63–71

Read the passage.

Now we see the evil of Jesus’s captors start to show through. The soldiers guarding Jesus mock and beat Him, making fun of the things the people have called Him, such as prophet, maybe the Messiah. I do want to point out one of the words Luke uses, though: “blaspheming”. (v. 65) I suppose the argument can be made that this word doesn’t have to mean speaking terrible lies about God, specifically, but could also cover abuse and slander against anyone. But that’s our modern word and its connotations, and I don’t know if the Greek word used carries the same connotations all the time. And if there are more, which way did Luke actually mean it?

Since Jesus is the incarnate Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity, Maker of Heaven and Earth, the question hardly matters. But I bring it up because Luke is showing us an ironic reflection in these verses. The guards blaspheme Jesus, and then dawn breaks and the chief priests, scribes, and elders accuse Him of blasphemy so that they can get a capital punishment. They ask if He is the Christ, and He remarks that they aren’t going to believe His answer anyway. And if He asks them if they think He is the Christ, then they won’t answer either.

Then, Jesus tells them that the Son of Man will be “seated at the right hand of the power of God.” (v. 69) Clearly this refers to His imminent death, resurrection, and ascension, but also points out how Jesus will have the place of highest honor in heaven. When asked if that makes Him the Son of God, His response is equivalent to “if you say so.” Or it might be a reference to the Name of God if read as “You say that I AM”. (v. 70) The Sanhedrin council would prefer to take it as Jesus claiming to be God Almighty, so then they condemn Him for blaspheming and set about getting the Romans to execute Him.

You are worthy of all honor, and Your Name is above every other name.