Matthew 26:62-68 62And after standing up the high priest said to him, “Do you not answer to what these people testify against you? 63But Jesus was keeping silent. And the high priest said to him, “I solemnly command you by the living God that you tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64Jesus said to him, “You have said. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65Then the high priest tore his robes saying, “He has blasphemed. What further need for witnesses do we have? Behold, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66What do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with fists, and others slapped, 68saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ, who is the one who hit you?”
The evil heart and intentions of Caiaphas becomes evident in this passage. He takes the lead in the interrogation of Jesus. There are several possible reasons Jesus did not defend himself in this false trial. The more obvious possibility is that he had done nothing wrong. The truth should have be evident to all who had heard and seen him. Another possibility is that this was the last opportunity for these people to put their faith in Jesus. The time for judgment would come later. This was the day of salvation. Sadly, as a group, they all turned their backs on Jesus. Jesus fulfilled the prophecy about him in Isaiah 53:7: “He was oppressed, and he was tormented, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so he did not open his mouth.”
Caiaphas takes the position of authority with his solemn command in verse 63, trying to get Jesus to answer. Swearing by the living God was the most serious of all oaths. Jesus already warned his disciples about making such oaths in 5:33-37. Caiaphas tries to put a lot of pressure on Jesus, compelling him to say something that would get him condemned. His question for Jesus is straight forward: Are you the Messiah? Caiaphas knew enough theology to connect the Messiah with being the Son of God, or at least he puts these concepts together here in order to trap Jesus.
It is unclear why Jesus answered Caiaphas, but he at least carried through by saying something in response to the solemn oath. What he says, however, is ironic because he affirms Caiaphas’ own confession as the truth. But the problem is that Caiaphas did not believe what he asked. He only said it to trap Jesus. Jesus made few verbal claims as recorded in the Synoptic Gospels during his ministry of being the Messiah. John’s Gospel records more explicit sayings and claims of Jesus and his connection to God as the Son. The most common phrase Jesus uses in the Synoptics is Son of Man. Jesus’ idea of Messiah and Caiaphas’ were different, like most Jews at that time. Jesus came in identification with human suffering, but one day he would come again with power.
In response to Caiaphas, Jesus quotes from two Old Testament passages, Psalm 110:1 and Daniel 7:13, as his only proof and defense. The events about to unfold were change all of time and usher in a new situation. The suffering Christ would become the exalted Christ. Those gathered around for that trial had no concept of what was about to happen. All they could see was an enemy standing before them. Exaltation to the right hand signifies the highest place of honor. Jesus substitutes Power for Lord in his quote of Psalm 110:1. He would not swear by God or heaven as he taught his disciples and would not use God’s name before these Jewish leaders lest they seek to trap him in his words. The use of Power also emphasizes that this was no ordinary trial and Jesus was not the average prisoner. The Sanhedrin was dealing with divine matters.
Proof of their misunderstanding and hardheartedness is shown by how they treat Jesus next. The high priest misinterprets and twists Jesus’ words and accuses him of blaspheme, although there was nothing explicit in Jesus’ response that was blasphemous. Caiphas’ interpretation was enough. As 2 Kings 18:37 indicates, tearing robes was a sign that someone had blasphemed. They did not need further proof to condemn Jesus. The rest of the council joins in agreement with Caiaphas with the verdict of death. They were limited by the Romans in the extent of what they could do with Jesus, but they could add further insult, shame, and injury by spitting and beating him. Their deceived and calloused hearts stand out in the end.
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