Thirdmill Study Bible

Notes on Luke 22:67-23:11

Luke 22:67

Christ. The promised Messiah of the Old Testament, also called the Messiah (see note on 2:11). will not believe. Through preaching and miracles, Jesus had already shown them his identity. Yet, they refused to believe.

Luke 22:68

If Jesus would ask his accusers about his authority, they would remain silent as before (20:3-8).

Luke 22:69

Though the council wanted to judge Jesus, he would judge them. Son of Man. Jesus identified himself as the divine Son of Man who appeared in Daniel's vision (Dan. 9:13-14). In that vision, the Son of Man received an eternal kingdom from God. After his atoning death, Jesus would be exalted to rule over all things at God's right hand (Ps. 110; Phil. 2:5-11). See note on 5:22-24.

Luke 22:70

Son of God. Title for the promised Christ (v. 67) that emphasized his descent from David (see note on 1:35; 2 Sam. 7:12-16; Ps. 2). I am. Jesus affirmed that he was God's Son in a way that indicates he would have wanted to clarify the title. He was the true Christ and Son of God, not the fulfillment of their misunderstanding of such things.

Luke 22:71

Earlier, several people bore false witness against Jesus. Their testimony contradicted itself and proved untrue (Mark 14:55-59). At this point, the leaders have heard the claims for himself. They rejected Jesus as the promised Christ and condemned him of blasphemy (Mark 14:63-64).

Luke 23:1

whole company. The diversity of members among the Sanhedrin were unified against Jesus (22:66; see notes on 5:17; 20:1, 7). However, not all Jews were against Jesus (vv. 50-51). Pilate. The Roman governor over the region (see notes on 3:1; 13:1). Previously had seized Jewish temple taxes for public works projects, killed innocent Jews, and violated the temple (13:1; War 2.433). The Jewish leaders did not like Pilate, but they needed him. They wanted Jesus executed, but did not have the authority to do that apart from Pilate (John 18:31).

Luke 23:2

The accusations made against Jesus before Pilate are different than the one charge that upset the Jewish leaders. They convicted him of blasphemy (see note on 22:71; Matt. 26:65-67; John 10:30-33). But, they needed to portray Jesus as a threat to Rome in order to see him executed (see note on 23:1). Three charges were presented: turning people against Rome, refusing to pay taxes, and claiming to be a rival authority. Jesus was innocent of all these charges (vv. 4, 14-15, 22).

Luke 23:3

Jesus affirmed his kingship as the Christ. However, he was not a king as charged. His kingdom was spiritual in nature (John 18:36-37).

Luke 23:4

No charge against Jesus could be substantiated. The trial should have been over.

Luke 23:8

Herod was somewhat superstitious and enamored with spiritual things. He loved hearing John the Baptist preach, even though John condemned him for his sin (3:19)! After Herod had John killed, he thought Jesus might be John's ghost (Mark 6:16-39). His interest in Jesus was a fascination with miracles rather than settling the accusations against him.