Matthew Chapter 26 · Verse 64

Authorized King James Version

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Jesus 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.

Original Language Analysis

λέγω I say G3004
λέγω I say
Strong's: G3004
Word #: 1 of 28
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτῷ unto him G846
αὐτῷ unto him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 2 of 28
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
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 3 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦς Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 4 of 28
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Σὺ Thou G4771
Σὺ Thou
Strong's: G4771
Word #: 5 of 28
thou
εἶπας· hast said G2036
εἶπας· hast said
Strong's: G2036
Word #: 6 of 28
to speak or say (by word or writing)
πλὴν nevertheless G4133
πλὴν nevertheless
Strong's: G4133
Word #: 7 of 28
moreover (besides), i.e., albeit, save that, rather, yet
λέγω I say G3004
λέγω I say
Strong's: G3004
Word #: 8 of 28
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὑμῖν unto you G5213
ὑμῖν unto you
Strong's: G5213
Word #: 9 of 28
to (with or by) you
ἀπ' Hereafter G575
ἀπ' Hereafter
Strong's: G575
Word #: 10 of 28
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ἄρτι G737
ἄρτι
Strong's: G737
Word #: 11 of 28
just now
ὄψεσθε shall ye see G3700
ὄψεσθε shall ye see
Strong's: G3700
Word #: 12 of 28
to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 13 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸν the Son G5207
υἱὸν the Son
Strong's: G5207
Word #: 14 of 28
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 15 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀνθρώπου of man G444
ἀνθρώπου of man
Strong's: G444
Word #: 16 of 28
man-faced, i.e., a human being
καθήμενον sitting G2521
καθήμενον sitting
Strong's: G2521
Word #: 17 of 28
and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside
ἐκ on G1537
ἐκ on
Strong's: G1537
Word #: 18 of 28
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
δεξιῶν the right hand G1188
δεξιῶν the right hand
Strong's: G1188
Word #: 19 of 28
the right side or (feminine) hand (as that which usually takes)
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 20 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δυνάμεως of power G1411
δυνάμεως of power
Strong's: G1411
Word #: 21 of 28
force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 22 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐρχόμενον coming G2064
ἐρχόμενον coming
Strong's: G2064
Word #: 23 of 28
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ἐπὶ in G1909
ἐπὶ in
Strong's: G1909
Word #: 24 of 28
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῶν G3588
τῶν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 25 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νεφελῶν the clouds G3507
νεφελῶν the clouds
Strong's: G3507
Word #: 26 of 28
properly, cloudiness, i.e., (concretely) a cloud
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 27 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανοῦ of heaven G3772
οὐρανοῦ of heaven
Strong's: G3772
Word #: 28 of 28
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)

Cross References

Daniel 7:13I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.Mark 14:62And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.Psalms 110:1The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.Hebrews 1:3Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;Revelation 1:7Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.Hebrews 12:2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.Matthew 24:30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.Matthew 26:25Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.Luke 21:27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.Matthew 25:31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

Analysis & Commentary

Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said (λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς, Σὺ εἶπας)—The phrase Σὺ εἶπας is Hebraic affirmation—'You yourself have said it' means 'Yes.' Jesus affirmed His identity as Christ and Son of God. Mark 14:62 records stronger affirmation: 'I am' (Ἐγώ εἰμι). Jesus then elaborated: 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 (πλὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀπ' ἄρτι ὄψεσθε τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου καθήμενον ἐκ δεξιῶν τῆς δυνάμεως καὶ ἐρχόμενον ἐπὶ τῶν νεφελῶν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ).

This combines Daniel 7:13-14 (Son of Man coming with clouds) and Psalm 110:1 (sitting at God's right hand). Jesus declared that His judges would see Him vindicated—'from now on' (ἀπ' ἄρτι) His exaltation begins. The 'right hand of power' (ἐκ δεξιῶν τῆς δυνάμεως, 'power' being circumlocution for God) claims divine authority. Coming 'on clouds of heaven' signals divine theophany (Exodus 19:9; Psalm 104:3). Jesus reversed roles: they judge Him now; He'll judge them then (25:31-46). This clear claim to deity gave Caiaphas desired 'blasphemy.'

Historical Context

Jesus's citation of Daniel 7:13 and Psalm 110:1 was unmistakable messianic claim. Daniel's 'Son of Man' receives universal, eternal dominion from the Ancient of Days. Psalm 110 pictures God inviting the Messiah to sit at His right hand—position of authority and honor. Jews recognized these texts as messianic. Jesus applied them to Himself, claiming He would be vindicated and exalted despite current humiliation. The early church saw fulfillment in resurrection, ascension (Acts 2:33-36), and future return (Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7).

Questions for Reflection