Luke 22:63 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him.

NIV: The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him.

NASB: The men who were holding Jesus in custody began mocking Him and beating Him,

CSB: The men who were holding Jesus started mocking and beating him.

NLT: The guards in charge of Jesus began mocking and beating him.

KJV: And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.

NKJV: Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him.

Luke 22:63–65 describes some of the abuse Jesus suffers during His illegal trial. This is being held at the home of Caiaphas, the high priest. Outside, Peter is denying Jesus in fear for his own life. Matthew 26:57–68 and Mark 14:53–65 describe the questioning of the religious leaders. They are trying to prove that Jesus has broken the Mosaic law in some egregious way. They find "witnesses," but their lies don't match up.

Eventually, two people affirm that Jesus said He would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days. Even then, their testimony doesn't agree (Mark 14:57–59). This conversation happened early in Jesus' ministry after the first time He cleansed the temple (John 2:13–17). When the religious leaders confronted Him, He said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (John 2:19). The disciples will soon realize He meant His body, not the literal temple (John 2:22). It's a setback for the Sanhedrin that the witnesses don't agree; under Roman law, it's a capital offense to damage a religious structure.

Luke skips the accusations in this trial and gives a fuller picture of the trial in the morning before the whole Sanhedrin (Luke 22:66–71). They ask many of the same questions, trying to get Jesus to make an official statement to prove His guilt. He finally admits to being the Son of God so they have reason to send Him to Pilate (Luke 22:66–71).

The beating Jesus receives is illegal. Roman authorities have a practice of beating a suspect, thinking only pain and violence will convince them to tell the truth (Acts 22:24). The Mosaic law forbids severe punishments unless the person is convicted by the witness of two men (Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15). The Sanhedrin likely don't think this qualifies (Deuteronomy 25:1–3).

Luke 22:63–65 occurs at the end of Jesus' second trial. Only John seems to record the first trial, at Annas's home (John 18:13–23). The second is at the home of the high priest Caiaphas. Matthew 26:57–68 and Mark 14:53–65 give more detail about Caiaphas's trial. Luke mentions only Peter's denials that occur while the trial is ongoing (Luke 22:54–62) and the beatings at Caiaphas's, but he gives more detail about the official—and only legal—trial in the morning before the whole Sanhedrin (Luke 22:66–71).

Luke 22 is a long chapter which records events leading to Jesus' political trials and crucifixion. He has successfully taught crowds at the temple and proved His authority over the religious leaders (Luke 19:47—20). Meanwhile the leaders have spent the week planning to arrest Jesus and have Him killed (Luke 19:47–48). This chapter records the Last Supper, the arrest on the Mount of Olives, and the trials before the Jewish religious leaders. Matthew 26, Mark 14, and John 18 cover much of the same information.

Luke 23 continues Jesus' trials before Pilate and Herod Antipas. He is then led to the cross where He forgives His murderers and saves a thief before He dies. In Luke 24, Jesus rises from the dead, meets two disciples while they travel, and explains to them how the Old Testament prophesied the death of the Messiah. In the final scene of the gospel, Jesus is reunited with His disciples, blesses them, and ascends into heaven.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.