Matthew 26:67

Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote [him] with the palms of their hands,

Then {G5119} did they spit {G1716} in {G1519} his {G846} face {G4383}, and {G2532} buffeted {G2852} him {G846}; and {G1161} others smote him with the palms of their hands {G4474},

Then they spit in his face and pounded him with their fists; and those who were beating him

Then they spit in His face and struck Him. Others slapped Him

Then did they spit in his face and buffet him: and some smote him with the palms of their hands,

Context of Matthew 26:67

This verse describes the immediate aftermath of Jesus' condemnation by the Jewish high council, the Sanhedrin. After Jesus affirmed His identity as the Son of God and the Messiah in Matthew 26:64, the high priest tore his clothes and declared Him guilty of blasphemy. The scene shifts from legal proceedings to a brutal display of contempt and violence. This humiliation occurred before Jesus was handed over to Pontius Pilate for the Roman trial, highlighting the intense hatred and rejection He faced from religious leaders.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Profound Humiliation and Mockery: The actions described—spitting, buffeting, and slapping—were not merely physical assaults but deeply humiliating acts designed to degrade and dishonor. For a person of status, and especially for one claiming divine authority, such treatment was the ultimate insult.
  • The Suffering of Christ: This verse marks an early stage of the physical and emotional agony Jesus endured, foreshadowing the greater suffering of His crucifixion. It underscores the immense personal cost of His mission to redeem humanity.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: These indignities directly fulfill Old Testament prophecies concerning the suffering servant. For instance, Isaiah 50:6 states, "I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting." This shows God's sovereign plan unfolding even in moments of extreme human wickedness.
  • Injustice and Human Depravity: The verse vividly portrays the injustice meted out to an innocent man and the depth of human cruelty when rejecting divine truth. It reveals the dark side of humanity's capacity for malice and violence.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Spit in his face": In ancient Near Eastern cultures, spitting on someone was an act of extreme contempt and utter scorn, signifying the deepest possible disrespect and revulsion.
  • "Buffeted him": The Greek word here is kolaphizo (κολαφίζω), which means to strike with the fist, particularly on the head or ear. It implies repeated, forceful blows.
  • "Smote [him] with the palms of their hands": The Greek word rhapizo (ῥαπίζω) refers to striking with an open hand, a slap, often specifically on the face or cheeks. This was another common form of personal insult and abuse.

Practical Application

Matthew 26:67 serves as a powerful reminder of the depth of Christ's sacrifice and His willingness to endure unimaginable indignity for the sake of humanity. For believers, it calls for:

  • Deeper Appreciation for Christ's Atonement: Understanding the personal humiliation Jesus endured helps us grasp the profound love and sacrifice involved in our salvation.
  • Patience in Suffering: Jesus' silent endurance in the face of such abuse provides a model for responding to injustice and mistreatment with patience and grace, rather than retaliation. As 1 Peter 2:23 teaches, "When he was reviled, reviled not again."
  • Identifying with Christ: In a world that often rejects spiritual truth, followers of Christ may experience forms of scorn or ridicule. This verse encourages us to stand firm, knowing our Lord endured far greater.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 50:6

    I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

  • Isaiah 53:3

    He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

  • Matthew 27:30

    And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

  • John 18:22

    And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

  • Matthew 5:39

    But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

  • Mark 14:65

    And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

  • Isaiah 52:14

    As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

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