Matthew 26:63
But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
3 of 29
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἐσιώπα
held his peace
G4623
ἐσιώπα
held his peace
Strong's:
G4623
Word #:
4 of 29
to be dumb (but not deaf also, like 2974 properly); figuratively, to be calm (as quiet water)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
G611
ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
6 of 29
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερεὺς
the high priest
G749
ἀρχιερεὺς
the high priest
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
8 of 29
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 29
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
κατὰ
by
G2596
κατὰ
by
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
13 of 29
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
God
G2316
θεοῦ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
15 of 29
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Χριστὸς
the Christ
G5547
Χριστὸς
the Christ
Strong's:
G5547
Word #:
25 of 29
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸς
the Son
G5207
υἱὸς
the Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
27 of 29
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
Cross References
Leviticus 5:1And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity.Isaiah 53:7He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.Matthew 16:16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.Matthew 27:12And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.1 Samuel 14:26And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath.
Historical Context
Placing someone under oath 'by the living God' was highest form of adjuration (Leviticus 5:1; 1 Kings 22:16). Refusing to answer violated oath obligations. Jesus's submission to this oath shows He honored legitimate authority even while unjustly tried. 'The living God' (ὁ θεὸς ὁ ζῶν) distinguished Yahweh from dead idols—ironic, since they invoked the living God to kill Life incarnate. The question's phrasing shows Caiaphas suspected Jesus claimed deity; he forced confession to secure conviction. Jesus's answer (v. 64) confirmed His identity, sealing His death sentence.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's willing confession of truth despite knowing it would cost His life model integrity over self-preservation?
- When have you faced the choice between denying truth for safety or confessing truth despite persecution?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God (ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς ἐσιώπα. καὶ ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς εἶπεν αὐτῷ, Ἐξορκίζω σε κατὰ τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ζῶντος ἵνα ἡμῖν εἴπῃς εἰ σὺ εἶ ὁ Χριστὸς ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ)—The imperfect ἐσιώπα ('He kept silent, He remained quiet') shows continued silence. The verb ἐξορκίζω (exorkizō, 'to adjure, to put under oath, to charge solemnly') invokes κατὰ τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ζῶντος ('by the living God'), making this oath-demand legally binding. Refusing to answer would constitute contempt; answering affirmatively would be 'blasphemy.'
The question is twofold: εἰ σὺ εἶ ὁ Χριστός ('if you are the Christ/Messiah') and ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ ('the Son of God'). In Jewish understanding, 'Christ' (Χριστός, anointed one) primarily meant Davidic king. 'Son of God' could mean messianic king (Psalm 2:7; 2 Samuel 7:14) but Jesus's usage implied unique divine sonship. Caiaphas's question cleverly forced Jesus either to deny His identity or confess it—knowing confession would be deemed blasphemy. Jesus was trapped between denial (apostasy) and affirmation ('blasphemy')—He chose truth.