And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? The mockery intensifies into cruel game. The phrase perikalypsantes auton (περικαλύψαντες αὐτόν, 'having blindfolded him') uses perikalyptō (περικαλύπτω), meaning to cover completely, especially the face. They etypton autou to prosōpon (ἔτυπτον αὐτοῦ τὸ πρόσωπον, 'struck his face')—repeated blows to the head. The challenge prophēteuson, tis estin ho paisas se (προφήτευσον, τίς ἐστιν ὁ παίσας σε, 'prophesy, who is the one having struck you?') mocks Jesus' prophetic claims.
The irony is multilayered: they mock Jesus as false prophet while He perfectly fulfills prophecy. They demand He 'prophesy' who struck Him—trivial knowledge—while ignoring His prophecies of death and resurrection. They abuse the omniscient God-man who knows not only His tormentors' names but their thoughts, sins, and eternal destinies. The game 'prophesy who hit you' was known as kolaphizō (κολαφίζω, 'buffet')—children's game made cruel. They treat the King of kings like entertainment.
Historical Context
This 'game' appears in all Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 26:67-68, Mark 14:65), showing its impact on witnesses. Blindfolding and striking was both mockery and torture—disorientation increases fear and helplessness. The guards likely knew of Jesus' prophetic ministry (His teaching in the Temple was public) and sarcastically challenged His powers. Their mockery echoes Satan's wilderness temptations ('If thou be the Son of God'—Matthew 4:3, 6)—both challenge Christ to prove deity through self-serving miracles. Jesus refuses both.
Questions for Reflection
Why do the guards mock Jesus' prophetic gift while His prophecies are being fulfilled?
What does Jesus' refusal to 'prove' His deity through miracle reveal about His mission?
How does enduring mockery for Christ's sake connect believers to His sufferings (1 Peter 4:14)?
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Analysis & Commentary
And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? The mockery intensifies into cruel game. The phrase perikalypsantes auton (περικαλύψαντες αὐτόν, 'having blindfolded him') uses perikalyptō (περικαλύπτω), meaning to cover completely, especially the face. They etypton autou to prosōpon (ἔτυπτον αὐτοῦ τὸ πρόσωπον, 'struck his face')—repeated blows to the head. The challenge prophēteuson, tis estin ho paisas se (προφήτευσον, τίς ἐστιν ὁ παίσας σε, 'prophesy, who is the one having struck you?') mocks Jesus' prophetic claims.
The irony is multilayered: they mock Jesus as false prophet while He perfectly fulfills prophecy. They demand He 'prophesy' who struck Him—trivial knowledge—while ignoring His prophecies of death and resurrection. They abuse the omniscient God-man who knows not only His tormentors' names but their thoughts, sins, and eternal destinies. The game 'prophesy who hit you' was known as kolaphizō (κολαφίζω, 'buffet')—children's game made cruel. They treat the King of kings like entertainment.