Luke 22:63-71
63 Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. 64 They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” 65 And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him.
66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”
Questions:
ReplyDelete1. Who were the men that were mocking Jesus and why did they do it?
2. If Jesus asked them if He was the Christ, why would they not answer?
3. What is the significance of Jesus saying He is the Son of Man and why did they ask if He was the Son of God?
https://www.preceptaustin.org/luke-22-commentary says:
ReplyDeleteFruchtenbaum adds that "The religious leaders engage in activities that were punishable by steep fines in Jewish law. The offenses included hitting, which is punishable by 4 denarii (four days wages). Then palm slaps, punishable by a 200 denarii fine (200 days wages). Then spitting in His face, punishable by a 400 denarii fine (400 days wages)."
Bob Utley - Jesus was beaten by the Jewish guards, Herod’s guards, and the Roman guards. These beatings may be a fulfillment of Isa. 53:2.
If one ever doubted the depravity of the human heart, all they need do is read this section on the treatment of Jesus by so-called religious men. It reminds me of the horrible Spanish Inquisition of men and women by those who called themselves "religious!"
Questions and findings:
ReplyDelete1. Who were the men that were mocking Jesus and why did they do it?
It appears that it was the Sanhedrin's lackeys and guards - the same ones who picked Jesus up. Probably some members of the Sanhedrin were present. They did it because the darkness hates the light. They were overcome with evil to the point that they were willing to set aside the laws that they were supposed to enforce.
2. If Jesus asked them if He was the Christ, why would they not answer?
I'm not finding much commentary on this, except references to when Jesus asked them previously if the Christ was the son of David. My feeling is that they wouldn't consider the question because subconsciously they didn't dare to. They couldn't even entertain the idea or put the evidence together.
3. What is the significance of Jesus saying He is the Son of Man and why did they ask if He was the Son of God?
They recognized the references to the son of man from the Old Testament as referring to a divine being. When Jesus referred to Himself as the son of man, they knew He was saying He was divine and a son of God. Furthermore, they recognized that He was saying He was the Son of God, equal with God and Yahweh Himself.