Luke 22:67

Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:

{G1487} Art {G1488} thou {G4771} the Christ {G5547}? tell {G2036} us {G2254}. And {G1161} he said {G2036} unto them {G846}, If {G1437} I tell {G2036} you {G5213}, ye will {G4100} not {G3364} believe {G4100}:

where they said, “If you are the Mashiach, tell us.” He answered, “If I tell you, you won’t believe me;

“If You are the Christ, tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe.

If thou art the Christ, tell us. But he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:

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Commentary

Luke 22:67 records a pivotal moment during Jesus' trial before the Jewish high council, the Sanhedrin. They directly challenge His identity, asking, "Art thou the Christ? tell us." Jesus' profound response reveals their heart condition: "If I tell you, ye will not believe." This verse encapsulates the deep-seated unbelief that characterized much of the opposition He faced.

Context

This verse occurs immediately after Jesus' arrest in Gethsemane and His initial mistreatment. He has been brought before the Sanhedrin, a council composed of chief priests, scribes, and elders, who are desperately seeking grounds to condemn Him. Their question about His identity as "the Christ" (the Messiah) was not a genuine inquiry but a calculated attempt to trap Him. A direct affirmation could be twisted into a charge of blasphemy against God or sedition against Roman authority. This scene is paralleled in other Gospels, such as Matthew 26:63 and Mark 14:61, highlighting the importance of this moment in Jesus' passion narrative.

Key Themes

  • Unbelief and Rejection: The central theme is the council's hardened hearts. Jesus knew that no matter how clearly He stated His true identity, their minds were already made up. Their question stemmed from malice, not a desire for truth. This persistent unbelief is a recurring motif in the Gospels, as seen in John 12:37.
  • Jesus' True Identity: Despite their rejection, the question itself underscores the central claim of Christianity: Jesus is indeed the Christ, the long-awaited Messiah. His subsequent statements in the trial (Luke 22:69) further affirm this, even as He acknowledges their inability to accept it.
  • Judicial Injustice: The entire proceeding was a sham trial, designed to secure a conviction rather than discover truth. Jesus' response highlights the futility of engaging in a genuine dialogue with those determined not to believe.
  • Divine Sovereignty: Even in this moment of profound rejection and injustice, God's sovereign plan for salvation through Christ's sacrifice was unfolding. Jesus willingly submitted to this path, knowing the hearts of His accusers and the ultimate purpose of His suffering, as prophesied in Isaiah 53:7.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Christ" (Greek: Christos): This Greek term means "Anointed One" and is the direct equivalent of the Hebrew "Messiah." It signifies the divinely appointed King and Deliverer promised throughout the Old Testament. The council's question was a direct challenge to His claim of this exalted status.
  • "Believe" (Greek: pisteuo): More than mere intellectual assent, pisteuo implies a trusting, personal commitment. Jesus' statement indicates that their lack of belief was not due to insufficient evidence, but a fundamental unwillingness to trust or accept Him, stemming from spiritual blindness and opposition.

Reflection

Luke 22:67 serves as a powerful reminder of the human tendency towards unbelief, especially when confronted with uncomfortable truths or claims that challenge preconceived notions. Jesus' response highlights that true belief is not merely about receiving information but about a willingness to open one's heart to the truth, even when it demands a radical shift in perspective.

For us today, this verse prompts self-examination: Are we genuinely seeking truth, or do we approach spiritual matters with hardened hearts and predetermined conclusions? Jesus continues to present Himself as the Christ, and the call remains for us to respond with genuine faith and trust, unlike those who questioned Him during His trial.

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Cross-References

  • John 12:37

    ¶ But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

  • John 12:43

    For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

  • Matthew 11:3

    And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

  • Matthew 11:5

    The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

  • John 9:27

    He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear [it] again? will ye also be his disciples?

  • John 9:28

    Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples.

  • John 10:24

    Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
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