Luke 22:70

Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.

Then {G1161} said {G5346} they all {G3956}, Art {G1488} thou {G4771} then {G3767} the Son {G5207} of God {G2316}? And {G1161} he said {G2036} unto {G4314} them {G846}, Ye {G5210} say {G3004} that {G3754} I {G1473} am {G1510}.

They all said, “Does this mean, then, that you are the Son of God?” And he answered them, “You say I am.”

So they all asked, “Are You then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.”

And they all said, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.

Commentary

Commentary on Luke 22:70 (KJV)

Luke 22:70 captures a pivotal moment during Jesus's illegal night trial before the Jewish Sanhedrin, the supreme council and tribunal. After various interrogations, the council pressed Jesus on His identity, culminating in this direct question about His divine nature.

Context

This verse occurs immediately after the chief priests, scribes, and elders of the people had gathered to interrogate Jesus following His arrest. The scene begins in Luke 22:66, where they led Him into their council. Their primary goal was to find grounds for a capital charge, specifically blasphemy, which would allow them to seek His execution. They had already asked Him if He was "the Christ" (the Messiah) in Luke 22:67, to which Jesus gave a nuanced reply, knowing they would not believe Him. The question "Art thou then the Son of God?" is the ultimate theological challenge, probing the very core of His claims and identity.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Jesus's Divine Identity: The central theme is the direct confrontation with Jesus's claim to be the Son of God. This title signifies not merely a special relationship with God, but a shared nature and equality with God, a concept profoundly offensive to the Jewish leaders if untrue.
  • Strategic Affirmation: Jesus's response, "Ye say that I am," is a profound and strategic affirmation. It is a common Semitic idiom that means "You are right in saying that," or "Indeed, as you say." It acknowledges the truth of their statement without directly uttering the words in a way they could easily twist, yet it leaves no doubt about His identity. This contrasts slightly with the more direct "I am" found in the parallel account in Mark 14:62, but the meaning is consistent.
  • The Basis of Condemnation: The council understood Jesus's reply as a clear affirmation of His divine sonship, which they considered blasphemy. This acknowledgment provided them with the legal grounds they needed for His condemnation, as seen in Luke 22:71, where they declare, "What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth."

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase Jesus uses is hymeis legete hoti egō eimi (ὑμεῖς λέγετε ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι), which literally translates to "You say that I am." While not a direct "I AM" (egō eimi) as found in some of Jesus's more explicit divine claims (John 8:58, John 10:30), the implication here is undeniable. It is a powerful form of affirmation in ancient Jewish culture, effectively saying, "You have spoken the truth concerning me." This subtle yet firm declaration reflects the profound authority and divine nature that Jesus consistently embodied, echoing the "I AM" statements of God in the Old Testament.

Practical Application

Luke 22:70 highlights the foundational truth of Christian faith: Jesus is indeed the Son of God. This verse challenges us to consider:

  • The Centrality of Jesus's Identity: Our understanding and acceptance of Jesus as the Son of God is not secondary but essential to our faith. It defines who He is and what He accomplished.
  • Courage in Truth: Jesus, even under immense pressure and facing certain death, did not deny His true identity. This serves as an example of courage and faithfulness in upholding truth, even when it comes at a great personal cost.
  • Acknowledging His Lordship: Just as the Sanhedrin was forced to acknowledge His claim (even if to condemn Him), we are called to acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Son of God, embracing the implications of His divine authority in our lives.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 23:3

    And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest [it].

  • Matthew 26:64

    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.

  • Mark 15:2

    And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest [it].

  • Matthew 27:11

    ¶ And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

  • John 10:36

    Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

  • John 19:7

    The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

  • Matthew 3:17

    And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
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