Luke 22:70

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 22:70 captures the climactic moment of Jesus's night trial before the Jewish Sanhedrin, where He is directly confronted with the question of His divine identity. In response to the council's probing, "Art thou then the Son of God?", Jesus offers a profound and strategically nuanced affirmation, "Ye say that I am," which the Jewish leaders immediately understood as a clear claim to divine Sonship, providing them with the desired grounds for a charge of blasphemy. This pivotal exchange underscores Jesus's unwavering self-identification despite immense pressure and sets the stage for His condemnation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the climax of Jesus's illegal night trial before the Jewish Sanhedrin, detailed in [Luke 22:66-71](/luke/22-66-71 "Luke 22:66-71 - Jesus Before the Sanhedrin"). Following His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus is brought before the chief priests, scribes, and elders. The preceding verses show the council's desperate attempts to elicit a self-incriminating statement from Jesus. They first ask if He is "the Christ" ([Luke 22:67](/luke/22-67 "Luke 22:67 - Question about the Christ")), to which Jesus responds with a statement indicating the futility of a direct answer given their unbelief, yet subtly hinting at His future vindication as the Son of Man seated at the right hand of God ([Luke 22:69](/luke/22-69 "Luke 22:69 - Son of Man at God's Right Hand")). The question in [Luke 22:70](/luke/22-70 "Luke 22:70 - Jesus Affirms His Sonship") is the ultimate theological challenge, directly addressing His divine nature, which they hoped would constitute blasphemy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin was a highly irregular and illegal proceeding according to Jewish law. It was conducted at night, lacked proper legal representation for the accused, and involved self-incrimination, all of which were forbidden. The Jewish leaders sought a capital charge, specifically blasphemy, which carried the death penalty under their law. However, they lacked the authority to execute anyone under Roman occupation, necessitating a charge that would also appeal to Roman law, such as treason or insurrection. The title "Son of God" held immense theological weight in Judaism. While "sons of God" could refer to angels or even righteous men, claiming to be *the* Son of God, implying divine equality and unique relationship with Yahweh, was considered blasphemous if not true, as it usurped God's unique sovereignty.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme in [Luke 22](/luke/22 "Luke 22 - The Last Supper and Betrayal") leading up to this verse is **Jesus's divine authority and identity**, juxtaposed with the **rejection and hostility of the religious establishment**. Even as Jesus prepares for His crucifixion, He consistently asserts His unique relationship with God and His messianic role, whether through His teaching, His actions (like instituting the Lord's Supper in [Luke 22:19-20](/luke/22-19-20 "Luke 22:19-20 - Institution of the Lord's Supper")), or His responses during the trial. This passage also highlights the theme of **truth and witness**, as Jesus, though facing death, refuses to deny His true nature, providing the very "witness" the council claimed to need ([Luke 22:71](/luke/22-71 "Luke 22:71 - No Further Witness Needed")). The Sanhedrin's question and Jesus's answer bring the underlying theological conflict to a head, revealing their fundamental misunderstanding and rejection of God's redemptive plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Son (Greek, _huiós'_):** G5207. This word, while broadly meaning "child" or "offspring," carries profound theological significance when applied to Jesus in the context of "Son of God." It implies a unique, inherent relationship of divine nature and essence, not merely adoption or a special status. The Jewish leaders understood this as a claim to deity, which they considered blasphemous.
* **God (Greek, _theós'_):** G2316. This term refers to the supreme Divinity. When combined with "Son," it forms the title "Son of God," which in this context, and as understood by the Sanhedrin, indicates a claim to co-equality and shared nature with the Almighty God of Israel.
* **say (Greek, _légō'_):** G3004. Used in "Ye say," this verb signifies speaking or relating, often in a systematic or set discourse. Here, it highlights that the Sanhedrin's statement is their own assertion, which Jesus then affirms as truth through a common Semitic idiom.
* **I am (Greek, _egō eimí'_):** G1473 (egō) and G1510 (eimí). While `egō` is the first-person pronoun "I" and `eimí` is the verb "to be" ("am"), their combination, particularly in the emphatic form `egō eimí`, often carries profound theological weight in the Gospels, echoing God's self-revelation as "I AM" in [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - God's Name 'I AM'"). In this context, Jesus's "Ye say that I am" is a powerful, albeit indirect, affirmation of the truth of their statement regarding His divine identity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God?":** The unanimous nature of the Sanhedrin's question ("they all") underscores the collective pressure and the critical importance of this particular inquiry. Having failed to find other sufficient charges, they pivot to the ultimate theological question, "Art thou then the Son of God?" This question is not merely seeking information but is a direct challenge to Jesus's perceived blasphemous claims, designed to elicit a self-incriminating statement that would justify their condemnation.
* **"And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.":** Jesus's response is a classic Semitic idiom, a nuanced yet clear affirmation. It is equivalent to "You are correct in saying that I am" or "Indeed, as you say." While not a simple "Yes," it leaves no doubt about His agreement with their assertion. This indirect affirmation allowed Jesus to confirm His divine identity without directly playing into their trap in a way they could easily twist, yet it was sufficiently clear for them to consider it blasphemy, as seen in the very next verse.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the very council seeking to condemn Jesus for blasphemy unwittingly compels Him to declare the truth of His divine nature, which ultimately becomes the basis for their false judgment. Jesus's response, "Ye say that I am," utilizes **Affirmation by Implication** or **Nuance**. This Semitic idiom allows for a powerful, unambiguous "yes" while maintaining a degree of rhetorical subtlety. It is a strategic declaration that avoids a simple "yes" which could be misconstrued or used to accuse Him of rebellion against Caesar, yet it is understood by His accusers as a direct divine claim. This also demonstrates **Foreshadowing**, as Jesus's unwavering declaration of His divine Sonship under threat of death foreshadows His ultimate victory over death and His vindication as the Son of God through the resurrection.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 22:70 serves as a foundational theological statement, directly addressing the core identity of Jesus Christ. His affirmation, "Ye say that I am," is not merely a verbal assent but a profound declaration of His unique, divine Sonship, which stands at the heart of Christian doctrine. This identity is the basis for His authority, His redemptive work, and His ultimate triumph. The Sanhedrin's question and Jesus's answer highlight the stark contrast between human attempts to control and condemn God's Anointed One, and God's sovereign plan unfolding through His Son's perfect obedience, even unto death. This exchange underscores that Jesus's claim to be the Son of God was not a minor point but the central, non-negotiable truth that defined His mission and provoked the ultimate conflict with the religious authorities.

* [Mark 14:61-62](/mark/14-61-62 "Mark 14:61-62 - Jesus's Affirmation in Mark")
* [Matthew 26:63-64](/matthew/26-63-64 "Matthew 26:63-64 - Jesus's Affirmation in Matthew")
* [John 19:7](/john/19-7 "John 19:7 - The Jews' Charge of Blasphemy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 22:70 calls us to profound reflection on the identity of Jesus Christ and its implications for our faith and lives. Jesus, facing the gravest injustice and imminent death, did not waver in affirming who He truly is: the Son of God. This unwavering commitment to truth, even when it leads to suffering, challenges us to examine the depth of our own conviction regarding Jesus's divine nature. Do we truly believe He is the Son of God, with all the authority, power, and redemptive purpose that title entails? Our acknowledgment of His Sonship should not be a mere intellectual assent but a transformative truth that shapes our worship, our obedience, and our willingness to stand for Him in a world that often rejects His claims. Just as the Sanhedrin was forced to confront His identity, we too are called to respond to the truth of who Jesus is, allowing it to define our relationship with God and our mission in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus's nuanced affirmation, "Ye say that I am," deepen your understanding of His wisdom and authority in the face of His accusers?**
* **In what ways does recognizing Jesus as "the Son of God" impact your daily life, decisions, and spiritual walk?**
* **What truths about Jesus's identity are you called to affirm courageously in your own context, even when it might lead to difficulty or opposition?**

### FAQ
**Why didn't Jesus simply say "Yes" to the question "Art thou then the Son of God?"**

Answer: Jesus's response, "Ye say that I am," is a common Semitic idiom that functions as a strong affirmation, equivalent to "You are correct in saying that." While it isn't a simple "yes," it was unequivocally understood by the Sanhedrin as an affirmative answer, leading them to declare it blasphemy. Jesus's choice of words demonstrates His wisdom and strategic communication. A direct "yes" might have been more easily twisted into a political charge of claiming to be a king in opposition to Caesar, which was a concern for the Roman authorities. By using this idiom, Jesus affirms His divine identity clearly to those who understood the cultural context, while maintaining a nuanced stance that prevented immediate political misinterpretation by the Romans. It also highlights that the Sanhedrin themselves articulated the truth of His identity, which He then validated.

**What is the significance of the title "Son of God" in this context?**

Answer: For the Jewish leaders, "Son of God" was a messianic title, but more profoundly, it carried implications of divine nature and equality with God. While "sons of God" could refer to Israel or righteous individuals, *the* Son of God, especially in the context of Jesus's other claims (like the Son of Man coming on the clouds, as mentioned in [Luke 22:69](/luke/22-69 "Luke 22:69 - Son of Man at God's Right Hand")), was understood as a claim to deity. This was considered blasphemy if the claimant was merely a man, as it usurped God's unique glory. Therefore, Jesus's affirmation of this title was the ultimate challenge to their monotheistic understanding and the direct cause for their condemnation of Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 22:70 stands as a profound Christ-centered fulfillment, revealing the very essence of who Jesus is and why His coming was necessary. Jesus's affirmation of being "the Son of God" is the bedrock of Christian theology, establishing His unique relationship with the Father and His divine authority. This declaration, made under the shadow of condemnation, foreshadows His ultimate vindication through the resurrection, which powerfully confirmed His divine Sonship ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God by Resurrection")). As the Son of God, Jesus is the only one capable of offering a perfect, atoning sacrifice for the sins of humanity, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies of a suffering servant and a divine king ([Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5-6 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - Suffering Servant Prophecy")). His divine identity means that His death on the cross was not merely the death of a martyr, but the redemptive act of God Himself in human flesh, reconciling humanity to God ([2 Corinthians 5:19](/2_corinthians/5-19 "2 Corinthians 5:19 - God Reconciling the World")). Ultimately, His confession before the Sanhedrin points to His present reign as the exalted Son of God, seated at the right hand of the Father, to whom "every knee should bow" ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus's Exaltation")). Thus, Luke 22:70 is not just a historical account but a timeless declaration of Jesus's divine personhood, foundational to the gospel message and the hope of salvation.

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 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.