Matthew 26:68

KJV

Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

KJV (with Strong's)

Saying {G3004}, Prophesy {G4395} unto us {G2254}, thou Christ {G5547}, Who {G5101} is he {G2076} that smote {G3817} thee {G4571}?

Complete Jewish Bible

said, "Now, you `Messiah,' `prophesy' to us: who hit you that time?"

Berean Standard Bible

and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who hit You?”

American Standard Version

saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ: who is he that struck thee?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jesus, having been unjustly condemned by the Sanhedrin, endures profound humiliation and physical abuse from His captors. Blindfolded and struck, He is sarcastically challenged to "prophesy" who hit Him, a cruel mockery of His divine claims and prophetic office, highlighting the depth of their rejection and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the suffering Messiah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after Jesus' interrogation and condemnation by the Jewish high council, the Sanhedrin, in the high priest Caiaphas's courtyard. Following Peter's denial (which occurs shortly after this scene, though the narrative order can vary slightly between Gospels), Jesus has just been declared guilty of blasphemy by Caiaphas and the council ([Matthew 26:65-66](/matthew/26-65-66 "Matthew 26:65-66 - Jesus Condemned")). The events of [Matthew 26:67-68](/matthew/26-67-68 "Matthew 26:67-68 - Jesus Mocked") describe the immediate aftermath of this judicial condemnation, where the guards and servants, emboldened by the council's verdict, begin to physically abuse and mock Jesus. This brutal treatment serves as a prelude to His delivery to Pilate and the Roman trial.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin was a highly irregular and illegal proceeding according to Jewish law, taking place at night and lacking proper legal procedures. The Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish judicial and legislative body, was composed of 71 members, including the high priest, elders, and scribes. Their authority under Roman occupation was limited, particularly concerning capital punishment, which required Roman approval. The act of spitting and striking was a profound act of contempt and dishonor in ancient Near Eastern culture, designed to humiliate and degrade the victim publicly. Blindfolding someone and then striking them, followed by a challenge to identify the assailant, was a common game of mockery, often played with prisoners or slaves, further emphasizing their view of Jesus as utterly powerless and beneath their dignity.

* **Key Themes:** [Matthew 26:68](/matthew/26-68 "Matthew 26:68 - Jesus Mocked") powerfully contributes to several key themes within Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the **mockery and humiliation of Christ**, vividly portraying the indignity and physical abuse Jesus willingly endured, a stark contrast to His divine majesty. This scene also highlights the **rejection of divine truth**, as the command to "Prophesy unto us, thou Christ" is not a genuine request for a demonstration of His power, but a cynical, sarcastic challenge from those who had already rejected His claims as the Messiah. Furthermore, it serves as a poignant **fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy**, particularly those concerning the suffering servant, who would be [scourged and spit upon](/isaiah/50-6 "Isaiah 50:6 - The Suffering Servant") and [wounded for humanity's transgressions](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Wounded for Our Transgressions"). Finally, Jesus' **silent endurance** in the face of such injustice, without retaliation, exemplifies His [willing submission to God's redemptive plan](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death"), as foretold in [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - A Lamb Led to Slaughter").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Prophesy (Greek, _prophēteúō'_):** From G4395, meaning "to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office." In this context, the challenge to "Prophesy unto us" is deeply ironic and sarcastic. They are not genuinely seeking a divine revelation but are mocking Jesus' claims to be a prophet or the Messiah, daring Him to use His supposed supernatural knowledge to identify His blindfolded tormentors. It underscores their cynical disbelief and contempt for His spiritual authority.
* **Christ (Greek, _Christós'_):** From G5547, meaning "anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus." The use of this title by His tormentors is a profound instance of dramatic irony. While they use it in a derogatory and mocking manner, denying His true identity, they unwittingly proclaim the very truth of who He is – the Anointed One, the Messiah, whose suffering fulfills divine prophecy. This highlights the blindness of their unbelief even as they utter a title that signifies His true nature.
* **smote (Greek, _paíō'_):** From G3817, a primary verb meaning "to hit (as if by a single blow and less violently than τύπτω); specially, to sting (as a scorpion)." This word indicates a direct, physical blow, likely with the hand or fist, emphasizing the personal and humiliating nature of the assault. It's not merely a light tap but a forceful strike, contributing to the physical pain and degradation Jesus endured.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ,"**: This clause captures the essence of the verbal abuse. The command "Prophesy unto us" is a direct challenge to Jesus' perceived prophetic claims and divine knowledge. The addition of "thou Christ" is deeply sarcastic, using His messianic title to mock His inability (in their eyes) to use His supposed divine power to discern His attackers while blindfolded. It's a taunt designed to humiliate and discredit Him in the most profound way.
* **"Who is he that smote thee?"**: This is the specific question posed to Jesus, following the physical assault. Having been blindfolded and struck, Jesus is challenged to identify His assailant. The question is not posed out of genuine curiosity but as a cruel game, a further attempt to mock His divine omniscience and expose Him as a fraud if He cannot "prophesy" the identity of the one who hit Him. It highlights their intent to degrade Him both physically and spiritually.

#### Literary Devices
The passage makes effective use of several literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, particularly in the use of the title "Christ." His tormentors mockingly call Him "Christ," the Anointed One, while simultaneously denying and abusing the very Messiah standing before them. This dramatic irony underscores their spiritual blindness and the profound truth of Jesus' identity despite their contempt. **Foreshadowing** is also present, as this scene of mockery and suffering anticipates the greater suffering of the cross, where Jesus will again be mocked and humiliated. The **contrast** between Jesus' divine power and His willing submission to human abuse is striking, emphasizing His humility and obedience to the Father's will. The physical actions—spitting, striking, blindfolding—are a form of **symbolism**, representing the world's rejection of God's truth and the profound depths of human depravity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[Matthew 26:68](/matthew/26-68 "Matthew 26:68 - Jesus Mocked by the Sanhedrin") is a pivotal moment that underscores the profound theological truth of Jesus' willing suffering as the Lamb of God. It reveals the depth of human sin and rebellion against divine authority, as those who should have recognized and honored the Messiah instead subjected Him to the utmost contempt and abuse. Jesus' silent endurance in this moment is not a sign of weakness, but of His resolute commitment to God's redemptive plan, demonstrating perfect obedience and trust even unto death. This scene prefigures the ultimate sacrifice on the cross, where He would bear the full weight of humanity's sin, becoming the object of scorn so that humanity might receive grace and reconciliation.

* [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected")
* [Luke 22:63-65](/luke/22-63-65 "Luke 22:63-65 - Jesus Mocked")
* [1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ's Example in Suffering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in [Matthew 26:68](/matthew/26-68 "Matthew 26:68 - Jesus Mocked by the Sanhedrin") offers a profound opportunity for reflection on the nature of Christ's sacrifice and our response to suffering. Witnessing Jesus, the Son of God, enduring such demeaning and unjust treatment should humble us and deepen our appreciation for the immense cost of our salvation. His silent endurance serves as a powerful model for believers facing injustice, persecution, or mockery for their faith. Rather than retaliating or seeking vengeance, we are called to trust in God's sovereign plan and to respond with grace, mirroring the patience and love of our Savior. This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts: do we truly acknowledge Jesus as Christ, or do we, in our own ways, mock or reject His authority through our actions and attitudes? It reminds us that true faith often involves enduring hardship and misunderstanding, just as our Lord did.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' silent endurance in the face of mockery challenge my own reactions when I feel insulted or unjustly treated?**
* **What does the willingness of Jesus' tormentors to mock Him reveal about the human heart's capacity for spiritual blindness and rejection of truth?**
* **In what ways might I, perhaps unknowingly, be "mocking" Christ's authority or identity in my daily life or beliefs?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus not identify who smote Him, given His divine knowledge?**

Answer: Jesus' silence in [Matthew 26:68](/matthew/26-68 "Matthew 26:68 - Jesus Mocked by the Sanhedrin") was a deliberate act, not an inability to identify His tormentors. As the Son of God, He possessed omniscience. His silence was a profound demonstration of His willing submission to the Father's redemptive plan, fulfilling prophecy (e.g., [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - A Lamb Led to Slaughter")) and setting an example of patient endurance in the face of injustice. To have identified His assailants would have engaged in their mocking game and potentially diverted from His ultimate purpose of suffering for the sins of humanity. His silence underscored His sovereignty and His commitment to the path of humility and sacrifice, rather than exercising His divine power for personal vindication.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Matthew 26:68](/matthew/26-68 "Matthew 26:68 - Jesus Mocked by the Sanhedrin") finds its Christ-centered fulfillment in the profound truth that the suffering, mocked, and humiliated Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah, whose endurance of such indignity was essential for humanity's salvation. The very title "Christ" (Messiah), used in derision by His tormentors, points to His true identity as the Anointed One chosen by God to bear the sins of the world. His willingness to be blindfolded and struck, to be mocked as a false prophet, perfectly aligns with the Old Testament prophecies of a suffering servant who would be [despised and rejected by men](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected") and [bear our griefs and carry our sorrows](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - He Bore Our Griefs"). This scene prefigures the ultimate act of self-giving love on the cross, where the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), would endure the ultimate humiliation and pain to secure eternal life for all who believe. His silent suffering here is a testament to His perfect obedience, demonstrating the [humility of God who became flesh](/philippians/2-7-8 "Philippians 2:7-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience") to reconcile humanity to Himself, ultimately triumphing over sin and death through His resurrection, proving He was indeed the Christ, not despite, but through His suffering.

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 22:63

¶ And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote [him].

Luke 22:65

And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.

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.

1 Peter 2:4

¶ To whom coming, [as unto] a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, [and] precious,

1 Peter 2:8

And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

Matthew 27:39

And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

Matthew 27:44

The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.