Devine Scripture

Matthew 26:63

What does Matthew 26:63 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 26:63 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 26:63 means

Jesus remains silent; then the high priest adjures him by the living God to declare if he is the Christ, the Son of God. The high priest’s oath aims to force Jesus to speak so they can convict him; the title 'Christ, the Son of God' is loaded both religiously and politically. Jesus’ initial silence and then the formal adjuration reveal the council’s coercive tactics. The verse frames the crucial identity question that will provoke the council’s judgment and Jesus’ messianic claim in response.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou art the Christ, the Son of God.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou art the Christ, the Son of God.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But Jesus said not a word. And the high priest said to him, I put you on oath, by the living God, that you will say to us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and Jesus was silent. And the chief priest answering said to him, `I adjure thee, by the living God, that thou mayest say to us, if thou art the Christ--the Son of God.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest said to him: I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us if thou be the Christ the Son of God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But Jesus was silent. And the high priest answering said to him, I adjure thee by the livingGod that thou tell us if thou art the Christ the Son ofGod.

Context

This verse follows the procedural challenge and captures the legal tactic of eliciting a self-incriminating reply. It brings the focus squarely to Jesus’ identity. For readers, it sets up the decisive declaration where Jesus links himself to prophetic and divine authority, provoking the council’s charge of blasphemy.

v.62And the high priest stood up, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

v.63This passage

v.64Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Henceforth ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 9:6

    For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

  • Matthew 16:16

    And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

  • John 19:9

    and he entered into the Prætorium again, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.

  • John 10:24

    The Jews therefore came round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou hold us in suspense? If thou art the Christ, tell us plainly.

  • John 19:7

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

  • Matthew 27:40

    and saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself: if thou art the Son of God, come down from the cross.

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