Luke 22:63

¶ And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote [him].

And {G2532} the men {G435} that held {G4912} Jesus {G2424} mocked {G1702} him {G846}, and smote {G1194} him.

Meanwhile, the men who were holding Yeshua made fun of him. They beat him,

The men who were holding Jesus began to mock Him and beat Him.

And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and beat him.

Luke 22:63 describes a pivotal and painful moment immediately following Jesus' arrest, highlighting the depths of human cruelty and the beginning of His physical suffering leading up to the crucifixion.

Context

This verse takes place after Jesus has been betrayed by Judas Iscariot in the Garden of Gethsemane and taken into custody by the temple guards and elders. He is now being held, likely in the high priest's house, awaiting a formal interrogation or trial. The scene described here is one of informal abuse before the official proceedings, setting a grim tone for the events to follow. It underscores the intense hostility Jesus faced from those who rejected His claims and authority.

Key Themes

  • The Suffering of Christ: This verse vividly portrays the initial physical abuse Jesus endured. He is not just arrested but subjected to mocking and blows, foreshadowing the greater suffering of the cross. This suffering was a necessary part of His mission to redeem humanity, fulfilling ancient prophecies about the Messiah's passion.
  • Human Depravity and Rejection: The actions of the men who held Jesus reveal the extent of human sinfulness and the deep-seated animosity towards God's Son. Their mockery and violence are acts of profound disrespect and contempt, demonstrating humanity's rejection of divine truth and love.
  • Jesus' Humility and Endurance: Despite being God incarnate, Jesus does not retaliate or defend Himself. His silent endurance in the face of such injustice is a powerful testament to His humility and unwavering commitment to His Father's will. This aligns with prophecies of the suffering servant, who would not open His mouth (Isaiah 53:7).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses two significant words here:

  • "mocked" (Greek: empaizo): This word means to ridicule, to make sport of, or to treat with contempt. It suggests not just verbal taunts but a sadistic pleasure in humiliating Jesus. This was a common form of abuse for prisoners.
  • "smote" (Greek: dero): This term implies a harsh physical beating, often with fists or an open hand. It's more than a mere slap; it indicates violent blows, adding to the pain and indignity Jesus suffered. Other Gospel accounts provide similar details of His mistreatment (cf. Matthew 26:67, Mark 14:65).

Reflection and Application

Luke 22:63 serves as a stark reminder of the immense cost of our salvation. Jesus willingly subjected Himself to humiliation and physical abuse, not for His own sins, but for ours. This verse calls us to:

  • Contemplate Christ's Sacrifice: Understand that our redemption was secured through His suffering, even before the cross. Every blow and every taunt was part of the price paid for our freedom from sin (1 Peter 2:24).
  • Respond to Injustice with Grace: Jesus' example of enduring unmerited suffering without retaliation offers a powerful model for how believers should face persecution or mistreatment. While we are called to seek justice, we are also called to respond with a Christ-like spirit of forgiveness and endurance.
  • Recognize the Reality of Spiritual Warfare: The mocking and violence against Jesus were not just human acts but manifestations of spiritual darkness at work. This reminds us that we are engaged in a spiritual battle and need to be prepared to stand firm in our faith.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 18:22

    And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

  • Mark 14:55

    And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.

  • Mark 14:65

    And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

  • Mark 15:27

    And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.

  • Mark 15:32

    Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.

  • Mark 15:16

    And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.

  • Mark 15:20

    And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
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