Luke 22:65

KJV

And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} many {G4183} other things {G2087} blasphemously {G987} spake they {G3004} against {G1519} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And they said many other insulting things to him.

Berean Standard Bible

And they said many other blasphemous things against Him.

American Standard Version

And many other things spake they against him, reviling him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 22:65 vividly portrays the intense and prolonged verbal abuse Jesus endured at the hands of His captors following His arrest and initial questioning by the Sanhedrin. This verse, following physical assaults and mockery, highlights the depth of human depravity directed against the Son of God, underscoring the comprehensive nature of His suffering—physical, emotional, and spiritual—as a crucial part of His redemptive work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 22:65 immediately follows a detailed account of Jesus' physical abuse and mockery by "the men who held Jesus" ([Luke 22:63-64](/luke/22-63-64 "Luke 22:63-64 - Jesus Mocked and Beaten")). This period of intense suffering occurs in the dead of night, after Peter's poignant denial of Christ, which Jesus had foretold ([Luke 22:61-62](/luke/22-61-62 "Luke 22:61-62 - Peter's Denial of Jesus")). The narrative shifts from the formal, albeit illegal, questioning by the Sanhedrin to an informal, gratuitous display of contempt. The phrase "many other things" suggests a sustained barrage of insults and vilification, emphasizing the relentless nature of the torment Jesus faced in His profound isolation before His formal trial.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Luke 22:65 unfold during the Passover week, a time of heightened religious and political tension in Jerusalem. The Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish judicial body, was conducting an illegal night trial, violating several of their own procedural laws, which typically prohibited capital cases from being tried at night or during a feast. The verbal abuse and blasphemous accusations reflect the deep-seated animosity of the Jewish authorities towards Jesus, whom they perceived as a dangerous revolutionary and a blasphemer for claiming divine authority. Public humiliation and verbal assault were common forms of degradation in the ancient world, designed to strip an individual of their dignity and authority, particularly before a public execution.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and biblical theology. It powerfully illustrates the **depth of human depravity** and rebellion against God, as the Son of God is subjected to the most vile forms of verbal assault. It underscores the **suffering of the Messiah**, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies of a suffering servant who would be despised and rejected ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant")). The irony is palpable: those who would later accuse Jesus of blasphemy ([Luke 22:70-71](/luke/22-70-71 "Luke 22:70-71 - The Sanhedrin Accuses Jesus of Blasphemy")) are themselves engaging in true blasphemy by reviling the Son of God. Furthermore, Jesus' silent endurance in the face of such abuse highlights His **perfect obedience** and commitment to His redemptive mission, echoing the themes found throughout [the passion narratives](/luke/22 "Luke 22 - The Passion Narrative Begins").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **many (Greek, _polýs'_):** This word indicates a significant quantity or extent. In this context, it emphasizes that the verbal abuse was not merely a few isolated remarks but a sustained, abundant, and relentless barrage of insults. It speaks to the sheer volume and continuous nature of the blasphemous words hurled at Jesus.
* **other things (Greek, _héteros'_):** Signifies distinct or different things. Combined with "many," it suggests that the verbal abuse went beyond the specific demands for prophecy mentioned in the preceding verses, encompassing a wide variety of additional, distinct insults and revilement. This implies a comprehensive and varied assault on Jesus' character and claims.
* **blasphemously (Greek, _blasphēméō'_):** This verb means "to vilify" or "to speak impiously." It describes speech that is not only insulting and abusive but also sacrilegious, irreverent, and defamatory, particularly against God or sacred things. Here, it highlights the profound spiritual offense of their words, as they were directed against the very Son of God, treating Him with utter contempt as a charlatan or false prophet.
* **spake they (Greek, _légō'_):** This primary verb means "to lay forth" or "to relate in words," often implying systematic or set discourse. While the context here is chaotic abuse, the use of _légō_ suggests that their words were deliberate and intentional, a conscious outpouring of hatred and contempt, rather than mere random utterances.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And many other things":** This introductory phrase indicates an addition to the already described physical abuse and mockery. The "many" emphasizes the extensive and prolonged nature of the verbal assault, suggesting a continuous stream of insults beyond what is specifically detailed. The "other things" implies a variety of different forms of verbal abuse, not just repetition of the same taunts.
* **"blasphemously spake they":** This is the core action of the verse. The term "blasphemously" (from _blasphēméō_) defines the nature of their speech: it was not merely rude or insulting, but impious, sacrilegious, and defamatory. They were speaking against Jesus in a way that dishonored God, effectively accusing Him of being a false prophet or a charlatan, while simultaneously committing the very sin of which they would later accuse Him. The active voice "spake they" highlights the deliberate and volitional nature of their actions.
* **"against him":** This prepositional phrase clearly identifies Jesus as the direct and sole target of this torrent of blasphemous words. It underscores His isolation and vulnerability, as He stood alone, enduring the full force of their hatred and contempt.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 22:65 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The phrase "**Hyperbole**" is evident in "many other things," which suggests an overwhelming and continuous barrage of insults, going beyond specific mentions to imply an exhaustive and varied verbal assault. This emphasizes the sheer volume and intensity of the suffering. There is profound "**Irony**" in the scene: those who would soon accuse Jesus of blasphemy for claiming to be the Son of God ([Luke 22:70-71](/luke/22-70-71 "Luke 22:70-71 - The Sanhedrin's Accusation of Blasphemy")) are themselves engaging in true blasphemy by reviling the very Son of God. This highlights their spiritual blindness and moral hypocrisy. The verse also serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the greater suffering and ultimate crucifixion Jesus would endure, where verbal abuse and mockery would continue to be a prominent feature ([Luke 23:35-39](/luke/23-35-39 "Luke 23:35-39 - Jesus Mocked on the Cross")). Finally, there is a stark **Contrast** between the violent, blasphemous words of the captors and Jesus' profound silence and patient endurance, which is a recurring motif in the passion narratives.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 22:65 is a poignant reminder of the comprehensive nature of Christ's suffering, extending beyond physical pain to include profound emotional and psychological torment. This verbal abuse, characterized as blasphemy, was an assault on Jesus' identity and divine claims, demonstrating the utter contempt and spiritual blindness of His accusers. The willingness of the Son of God to endure such indignity, slander, and revilement underscores the immense cost of redemption and the depth of God's love for humanity. It reveals that salvation was purchased not merely through physical crucifixion but through a holistic experience of rejection, humiliation, and suffering, fulfilling the prophetic picture of the suffering servant who was "despised and rejected by men" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant Endures Rejection")).

* [Isaiah 50:6](/isaiah/50-6 "Isaiah 50:6 - The Suffering Servant Endures Insults")
* [Psalm 35:15-16](/psalms/35-15-16 "Psalm 35:15-16 - Mockery of the Righteous")
* [Matthew 26:67-68](/matthew/26-67-68 "Matthew 26:67-68 - Jesus Mocked by His Captors")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 22:65 offers profound insights for believers today, calling us to a deeper appreciation of Christ's sacrifice and providing a model for enduring suffering. The relentless and blasphemous verbal assault Jesus faced reminds us that His redemptive work encompassed not only physical pain but also immense psychological and spiritual anguish. When we encounter opposition, slander, or ridicule for our faith, this verse encourages us to remember the far greater indignity Jesus willingly endured. It deepens our understanding of God's boundless love, demonstrated by His willingness to allow His Son to be subjected to such profound humiliation for our sake. Furthermore, this passage serves as a stark warning about the destructive power of words, especially those used to demean, revile, or blaspheme. It challenges us to consider the impact of our own speech, urging us to use our words to build up, encourage, and honor God, rather than to tear down or defame.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the verbal abuse Jesus endured deepen your appreciation for His sacrifice on the cross?**
* **In what ways might we, as believers, inadvertently engage in "blasphemous" speech, either against God or against others made in His image?**
* **How can Jesus' example of enduring unjust verbal abuse equip you to respond with grace and patience when you face similar opposition for your faith?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the spiritual battle, and how does it encourage us to rely on God's strength rather than our own when facing hostility?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus' captors speak "blasphemously" against Him, and what does that imply about their understanding of Him?**

Answer: Jesus' captors spoke "blasphemously" (Greek: _blasphēméō_) against Him because they considered His claims—particularly His implicit and explicit assertions of divine authority and Messiahship—to be sacrilegious and an affront to God. In their eyes, He was not merely a false prophet but one who was speaking against God by making Himself equal with God ([John 10:33](/john/10-33 "John 10:33 - The Jews Accuse Jesus of Blasphemy")). This implied a profound misunderstanding and rejection of His true identity as the Son of God. Their words were not just insults; they were a deliberate attempt to defame Him as a religious imposter, reflecting their spiritual blindness and deep-seated animosity toward His person and message.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 22:65, depicting the blasphemous verbal abuse against Jesus, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in understanding that this suffering was not random but a necessary component of His redemptive mission. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, willingly subjected Himself to such indignity and revilement, not because He deserved it, but because He was taking upon Himself the full weight of humanity's sin, including our capacity for hatred, slander, and rebellion against God. His patient endurance in the face of such unholy words foreshadows His ultimate silence before His accusers ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant's Silence")) and His bearing of the world's sin on the cross. This act of enduring blasphemy is a powerful testament to His humility and obedience, as described in [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humiliation and Obedience"), where He "humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Through His suffering, including this verbal torment, Jesus became the perfect sacrifice, securing forgiveness for those who would otherwise be condemned by their own blasphemous hearts. His endurance of this abuse ultimately leads to His exaltation, demonstrating that His path through humiliation was the very means by which God accomplished salvation and established His eternal kingdom ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of Our Faith")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Timothy 1:13

Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did [it] ignorantly in unbelief.

1 Timothy 1:14

And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Luke 12:10

And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.

Matthew 12:31

Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy [against] the [Holy] Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

Matthew 12:32

And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the [world] to come.

Matthew 27:39

And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

Acts 26:11

And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled [them] to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted [them] even unto strange cities.