Luke 22:68

KJV

And if I also ask [you], ye will not answer me, nor let [me] go.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} if {G1437} I also {G2532} ask {G2065} you, ye will {G611} not {G3364} answer {G611} me {G3427}, nor {G2228} let me go {G630}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and if I ask you, you won’t answer.

Berean Standard Bible

And if I ask you a question, you will not answer.

American Standard Version

and if I ask you, ye will not answer.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 22:68 captures a pivotal and poignant moment during Jesus' trial before the Jewish Sanhedrin, where He confronts His accusers with a profound awareness of their predetermined intentions and hardened hearts. In this verse, Jesus articulates the futility of their questioning, recognizing that their inquiry is not a genuine search for truth or justice, but a mere formality designed to justify their pre-existing decision to condemn Him. His statement reveals His divine foreknowledge of their spiritual blindness and unwavering resolve to refuse His testimony and ultimately deny His release.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the Sanhedrin's direct question to Jesus in [Luke 22:67](/luke/22-67 "Luke 22:67 - The Sanhedrin's Question to Jesus"): "Art thou the Christ? tell us." Jesus' response in [Luke 22:68](/luke/22-68 "Luke 22:68 - Jesus' Response to the Sanhedrin") is not a direct "yes" or "no" but rather a profound indictment of their motives. It sets the stage for His subsequent, more direct affirmation of His identity in [Luke 22:69](/luke/22-69 "Luke 22:69 - Jesus' Affirmation of His Identity"), where He declares He will be seated at the right hand of the power of God. This sequence highlights Jesus' strategic engagement, first exposing their judicial corruption and then boldly asserting His divine authority, knowing full well the outcome. The narrative flows from His betrayal and arrest ([Luke 22:47-53](/luke/22-47-53 "Luke 22:47-53 - The Arrest of Jesus")) through Peter's denial ([Luke 22:54-62](/luke/22-54-62 "Luke 22:54-62 - Peter's Denial")) and the initial mockery ([Luke 22:63-65](/luke/22-63-65 "Luke 22:63-65 - Jesus Mocked")), leading to this formal, yet utterly unjust, hearing before the religious authorities.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' trial before the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish judicial and religious council, was a critical event. According to Jewish law, trials were to be conducted with meticulous fairness, including the right to defense and the requirement for multiple witnesses. However, Jesus' trial was fraught with irregularities, occurring at night, lacking proper witnesses, and showing evident prejudice. The Sanhedrin, composed primarily of Sadducees and Pharisees, held significant power under Roman occupation but lacked the authority to carry out capital punishment, necessitating their subsequent appeal to Pilate. Culturally, the concept of a Messiah was deeply ingrained, but the Sanhedrin's expectation was often of a political liberator, not a suffering servant, leading to their inability or unwillingness to accept Jesus' claims. Their actions reflect a deep-seated fear of losing their religious and political authority, as well as a profound misunderstanding of God's redemptive plan.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 22:68 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **Predetermined Injustice**, revealing the corrupt nature of Jesus' trial where His fate was sealed before any testimony was given. This aligns with the prophetic theme of the [suffering servant](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant Prophecy") who would be led to slaughter without protest. The verse also powerfully demonstrates **Divine Foreknowledge**, as Jesus' words reveal His intimate awareness of His accusers' hearts and their ultimate intentions, echoing the sovereignty of God over human sin and injustice, as later articulated in [Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Predetermined Plan for Christ's Crucifixion"). Furthermore, it highlights the **Futility of Argument** with those who are spiritually blind and unwilling to receive truth, a recurring motif in Jesus' ministry where He often encountered hardened hearts ([Matthew 13:13-15](/matthew/13-13-15 "Matthew 13:13-15 - The Parable of the Sower and Hardened Hearts")). Ultimately, this verse encapsulates the **Rejection of Christ** by the very religious leaders who should have recognized Him, setting the stage for His crucifixion and the subsequent triumph of God's redemptive plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ask (Greek, _erōtáō'_):** This word, G2065, means "to interrogate; by implication, to request." In this context, Jesus' "asking" is not a plea for information but a rhetorical challenge, an "interrogation" of their motives. He is not genuinely seeking an answer from them, as He already knows their intentions. Instead, He uses the act of questioning to expose their hypocrisy and the predetermined nature of their verdict.
* **Not at all (Greek, _ou mḗ'_):** This phrase, G3364, is a double negative (οὐ and μή) that strongly emphasizes denial, meaning "not at all," "by no means," or "never." Its use here signifies the absolute certainty of their refusal to answer or release Him. It conveys Jesus' profound understanding that their minds are completely closed to truth and justice, reinforcing the futility of any genuine dialogue.
* **Let go (Greek, _apolýō'_):** This word, G630, means "to free fully, i.e., (literally) relieve, release, dismiss... pardon." In the legal context of a trial, it refers to acquittal or setting someone at liberty. Jesus' statement that they will "nor let me go" powerfully underscores their unwavering resolve to condemn Him, regardless of His innocence or the legal process. It highlights the predetermined nature of their decision to hold Him captive until He could be executed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if I also ask [you]":** Jesus posits a hypothetical scenario, indicating His full awareness of their true intentions. This is not a genuine inquiry but a rhetorical challenge. He knows that any question He might pose, seeking a fair hearing or a recognition of truth, would be met with an unyielding refusal, because their agenda is fixed.
* **"ye will not answer me":** This clause reveals the Sanhedrin's spiritual and judicial corruption. Jesus knows they are not seeking an honest dialogue or a just verdict. Their minds are closed to His testimony, His identity, or any evidence that might lead to His acquittal. Their "question" in [Luke 22:67](/luke/22-67 "Luke 22:67 - The Sanhedrin's Question") was a trap, not an investigation, and Jesus' words expose this.
* **"nor let [me] go":** This final phrase is the culmination of Jesus' indictment. It signifies their absolute determination to condemn Him, regardless of His innocence. The legal process, which should allow for acquittal if no crime is proven, is here subverted by their malicious intent. Jesus foresees their unwavering resolve to keep Him captive and ensure His execution, fulfilling the prophetic trajectory of His mission.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 22:68 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, as Jesus asks a question not to elicit an answer, but to make a profound statement about the Sanhedrin's predetermined guilt and spiritual blindness. This highlights the **Irony** of the situation: those who are supposed to be judges are themselves being judged by the very one they seek to condemn. There is also significant **Foreshadowing**, as Jesus' words anticipate His certain condemnation and execution, despite His innocence. The phrase "nor let me go" functions as a form of **Legal Inversion**, where the expected outcome of a just legal process (acquittal of the innocent) is deliberately inverted by the malicious intent of the court. This deliberate subversion of justice underscores the depth of the Sanhedrin's rejection of God's Messiah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 22:68 profoundly illustrates the clash between divine truth and human rebellion, a central theme throughout Scripture. Jesus' foreknowledge of His accusers' hardened hearts and their predetermined decision to condemn Him speaks to God's sovereignty even in the face of profound injustice. It highlights that human sin and rejection of God's revelation do not thwart His ultimate plan, but rather, in His perfect wisdom, are often incorporated into it for a greater redemptive purpose. This verse underscores the deep spiritual blindness that can afflict those who cling to power and tradition over truth, echoing the broader biblical narrative of humanity's resistance to divine authority and its desperate need for salvation.

* [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant's Silence")
* [John 1:10-11](/john/1-10-11 "John 1:10-11 - The World Did Not Know Him")
* [Acts 4:27-28](/acts/4-27-28 "Acts 4:27-28 - God's Predetermined Plan for Jesus' Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 22:68 serves as a stark reminder that not all hearts are open to truth, especially when that truth challenges deeply entrenched beliefs, power structures, or personal agendas. Jesus' encounter with the Sanhedrin exposes the painful reality that spiritual blindness can lead to profound injustice and the rejection of God's appointed Savior. For believers, this verse calls us to a sober assessment of our own hearts: are we truly open to God's truth, even when it challenges our comfort or convictions? It also encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan, knowing that even in moments of extreme injustice, His purposes are unfolding. Like Jesus, there are times when further argument with those who refuse to listen is unproductive; wisdom dictates when to speak and when to remain silent, trusting God with the outcome. Our ultimate call is to align our hearts with God's will, just as Jesus willingly embraced His path to the cross for the redemption of humanity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be resistant to God's truth, perhaps due to preconceived notions or personal agendas?**
* **How does Jesus' foreknowledge and composure in the face of injustice strengthen my faith in God's sovereignty during difficult times?**
* **When is it appropriate to persist in sharing truth, and when might it be wiser to remain silent, trusting God with the outcome?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus respond this way, rather than a direct "yes" or "no" to their question in the previous verse?**

Answer: Jesus' response in [Luke 22:68](/luke/22-68 "Luke 22:68 - Jesus' Response to the Sanhedrin") is not evasive but profoundly strategic and revelatory. He understood that the Sanhedrin's question "Art thou the Christ?" ([Luke 22:67](/luke/22-67 "Luke 22:67 - The Sanhedrin's Question")) was not a genuine inquiry born of a desire for truth, but a legal trap designed to elicit a confession they could use to condemn Him for blasphemy. By stating, "And if I also ask [you], ye will not answer me, nor let [me] go," Jesus exposes their hypocrisy and the predetermined nature of their verdict. He reveals that their minds are already made up, and no amount of truthful testimony or logical argument on His part would sway them or lead to His acquittal. His response highlights their spiritual blindness and judicial corruption, setting the stage for His subsequent, more direct affirmation of His identity in [Luke 22:69](/luke/22-69 "Luke 22:69 - Jesus' Affirmation of His Identity"), which He knew would seal His fate according to their unjust judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 22:68, with Jesus' poignant declaration of the futility of His trial, deeply foreshadows and exemplifies His ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment. His words reveal His divine foreknowledge and willing submission to the Father's predetermined plan, even in the face of profound injustice. Jesus, the innocent [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), knew He was being led to the slaughter, just as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant"). His recognition that His accusers would neither answer Him nor release Him underscores the absolute necessity of His suffering and death for the redemption of humanity. This moment highlights His perfect obedience, as He "humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). The Sanhedrin's rejection, though a heinous act of human sin, was paradoxically part of God's sovereign design to bring about salvation through the atoning work of Christ, demonstrating that [God works all things for the good of those who love him](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works for Good"). Jesus' willingness to endure this unjust process, knowing its outcome, perfectly embodies His mission to lay down His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")).

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

Luke 20:3

And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:

Luke 20:7

And they answered, that they could not tell whence [it was].

Luke 20:41

And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son?

Luke 20:44

David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?