Mark 14:60-65 (NKJV) 60 And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” 61 But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”
62 Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
63 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? 64 You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?”
And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.
65 Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.
V62 “Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
God cannot lie, so Jesus told the truth. If these religious leaders feared God, believed the Scriptures, and interpreted them correctly, they would know that Jesus tells the truth and His Messiahship is obvious. Son of Man is Messianic (Daniel 7:13-14). The Power is God the Father, the Almighty. The right hand is the position of highest honor that the Almighty can confer (Colossians 1:18). Coming of the clouds of heaven is also Messianic (Job 22:14, Daniel 7:13, and Acts 1:9-11). Wilbur Pickering adds: “This was an illegal proceeding on the part of the priest: he was asking Jesus to testify against Himself.”
See Deuteronomy 19:15-21, where there must be a careful inquiry whether something is true or false.
It is against God’s character to lie. Jesus gave a true witness, but these Jewish leaders wanted Him killed no matter what He said.
V63 “Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need do we have of witnesses?”
See Leviticus 10:5 and Leviticus 21:10. The High Priest is breaking Mosaic Law. He also broke the Law but not proving the Lord Jesus to be blaspheming.
V64 “You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.”
There is no proof given that Jesus was lying. A principle is taught: we must tell the truth, possibly suffer for it, and be willing to die holding firmly to the truth and not denying it. God will give us grace if that situation happens to us.
V65 “Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.”
Showing utter disrespect. It looks like they enjoyed giving the abuse. Jesus never railed on them, sought revenge, or resisted.
(Holman Commentary) “The incredible hatred and anger against Jesus is seen in this verse. Spitting and hitting was the traditional Jewish way of showing rejection and anger (Numbers 12:14; Deuteronomy 25:9; Job 30:10). They mocked Jesus by asking him to prophesy—to say who was hitting him while he was blindfolded. He was then turned over to the guards.”
See 1 Peter 2:23, Hebrews 12:2-3, and
Prophecies fulfilled: spit on Him (Isaiah 50:6), beat Him (Isaiah 52:14).
Constable writes: “Part of the Christian’s calling (1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 2:9) includes suffering (cf. 2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus Christ suffered for His righteous conduct at the hands of sinners (cf. Matthew 26:67; Mark 14:65). We, too, can expect that our righteous behavior will draw the same response from the ungodly of our day (Matthew 11:29; 16:24; Luke 14:27; Acts 14:22).
“Whereas Jesus’ atonement set an example for us, it accomplished much more than that. Peter cited only His “example” here, in view of his purpose, which was to encourage his readers to endure suffering with the proper spirit. They also needed to remember that their experience duplicated that of Jesus (“follow in His steps”). They were like children who place foot after foot in the prints of their older brother who walks before them in the snow (cf. Romans 4:12; 2 Corinthians 12:18). The Greek word translated “example” (hypogrammon) refers to a writing or drawing that someone placed under another sheet of paper, so he or she could trace on the upper sheet. [Note #134: See Robertson, 6:104-5, for other extrabiblical examples.]”
We learn:
- How prophecy was fulfilled.
- How Jesus reacted to suffering and abuse.
- How much sinners hate Jesus.
Questions:
- Have you been persecuted because you are a Christian?
- How do you react?
- Did God give you wisdom and peace?