22:63-65
Those who held Jesus in custody beat him. These were probably the temple officers. Remember that Jesus has not been to trial yet, much less convicted. Yet, they are punishing him. Their hatred, driven by the devil, leads them to violate the law they claim to protect.
Jesus was also mocked. To mock is to ridicule, make fun of, or parody. Here they blindfolded Jesus and challenged him to prophesy by telling them who hit him. Luke says they said many other things which blasphemed him. They spoke with irreverence to him and about him. Jesus, as God, is to be reverenced. Anything else is blasphemy.
The beatings and the mocking were part of Jesus’ suffering for us.
His suffering was not limited to the cross. And because of his suffering, he can sympathize with our suffering.
They also fulfilled scripture. Isaiah 53:4 said he would be stricken, smitten, afflicted, wounded, and crushed.
There is much blasphemy that occurs today. Jesus is mocked in parodies and sarcasm, people use his name and his title as swear words. He is blasphemed by those who deny he is God or ridicule the idea that he existed.
For example, consider this diatribe against God written by Richard Dawkins in The God Delusion. He called God “a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully”. I do not want to stand near that guy at the judgment.
Jesus did not respond to this abuse. But, the day will come will blasphemers and mockers will be held accountable. Everyone of them will bow before Jesus. Every mocking mouth will confess that Jesus is Lord. (Philippians 2:10-11)
Jesus at the Sanhedrin
22:66-71
When day came, the elders of Israel assembled. Trials were supposed to held during the day. Here it appears they did it at first light, possibly to avoid scrutiny from the people.
This assembly of elders, along with the chief priests and scribes, was called the Sanhedrin. Although all cities in Israel had a sanhedrin, this may have been the Great Sanhedrin that met in Jerusalem and was the final authority in religious matters. It originally had the power to impose the death penalty, but the Romans took that away in 30 A.D.
The Sanhedrin historically met at the Temple, but here they meet at the house of the High Priest. This may have been another attempt at secrecy.
Luke did not record all the proceedings before the trial. Matthew and John record those. Luke focused on the trial.
The charge appears to have been blasphemy, because they asked him if he was the Christ, or Messiah. Was he the descendant of David who would come and rule over God’s people?
Jesus first answered by saying they would not believe what he said nor would they respond if he asked them the question. He was pointing out the futility of the trial, knowing the outcome was already determined. That outcome had been determined in the pre-trial proceedings that had occurred during the night.
Jesus had prophesied the outcome previously. In 9:22, he said he would be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes. That is exactly who put him on trial. He also said he would be rejected by those elders and killed.
In 17:22, he said he would be rejected by “this generation”. This term is often used to mean the leaders of the people at the time.
After pointing out the futility of the trial, Jesus answered the question. He did so by referring to well known scriptures. He said “from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God”. (69)
Daniel 7:13-14 tells of one like a son of man who will come to the Ancient of Days, God the Father, and receive an eternal kingdom. Psalm 110:1 says “The LORD (Yahweh) says to my Lord, sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.”
The Son of Man in Daniel 7 is a divine ruler and judge. The Jews understood that. Jesus was claiming this glory for himself: one who was human, but also divine, who will rule and judge even those who were accusing him.
This coronation would happen soon. Jesus said “from now on…”
Scripture continues to teach this truth. Hebrews 1:3 says “…After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…”
At the right hand of God he rules. 1 Peter 4:5 says Jesus will return and judge the living and the dead.
So, the answer of Jesus was “yes, I am the Christ”.
The council fully understood the scripture references and what Jesus meant by his answer. They challenged him to confess in plain terms, saying “are you the Son of God, then?”
Jesus replied, “you say that I am”. (70) It is a way of saying “yes”. The council took it that way, as a confession, so no further proceedings were needed.
And so, what Jesus said was true: they would not believe if he answered. Despite his miracles, his teaching, the affirmation of the Father, the testimony of Mary of what the angel told her, and Jesus' own words, they would not believe.
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