Luke Chapter 22 · Verse 70
Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸς
the Son
G5207
υἱὸς
the Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
8 of 20
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
10 of 20
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
13 of 20
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
λέγετε
say
G3004
λέγετε
say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
17 of 20
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Cross References
Luke 23:3And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.Mark 15:2And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.Matthew 27:11And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.Matthew 26:64Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Historical Context
The charge 'Son of God' was blasphemy in Jewish law if claimed by mere man. The penalty was stoning (Leviticus 24:16). However, the Sanhedrin lacked authority to execute under Roman rule (John 18:31), requiring cooperation from Pilate. They therefore framed religious charge (blasphemy) as political charge (claiming kingship, sedition—Luke 23:2). Jesus' confession sealed His fate legally but fulfilled prophecy theologically. The 'I AM' statements throughout John's Gospel (6:35, 8:12, 10:11, 11:25, 14:6, 15:1) all assert deity, culminating in this trial confession.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Jesus clearly affirm His divine sonship rather than remain silent or equivocate?
- What does Jesus' 'I AM' statement reveal about His self-understanding and mission?
- How does Jesus' confession of truth unto death contrast with Peter's denial to preserve life?
Analysis & Commentary
Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. The Sanhedrin grasps Jesus' claim: eipan de pantes, sy oun ei ho huios tou theou (εἶπαν δὲ πάντες, σὺ οὖν εἶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ, 'then they all said, then you are the Son of God?'). The particle oun (οὖν, 'therefore, then') connects His claim to sit at God's right hand with divine sonship. Ho huios tou theou (ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ, 'the Son of God') means far more than special relationship—it claims divine nature, equality with God. Jews understood this (John 5:18, 10:33). Jesus' response hymeis legete hoti egō eimi (ὑμεῖς λέγετε ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι, 'you say that I am') is affirmation, not evasion.
The phrase egō eimi (ἐγώ εἰμι, 'I am') echoes God's self-identification to Moses (Exodus 3:14, 'I AM THAT I AM'). Jesus affirms their statement—'You yourselves say it: I AM.' This is confession of deity. The Sanhedrin wanted self-incriminating testimony; they received it. Jesus could have equivocated or remained silent. Instead, He boldly affirms His divine sonship, knowing it means death. Truth matters more than life. He won't deny His identity to preserve His body—the opposite of Peter, who denied Christ to save himself.