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Book of Matthew - Chapter 26 - Verse 63

26:63
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.

Meaning

When Jesus was brought before the high priest and questioned about whether he was the Christ, the Son of God, he chose to remain silent. This act of holding his peace is significant because it demonstrates Jesus' obedience to his Father's will and his understanding of the bigger picture. By not engaging in a verbal defense of his identity, Jesus fulfills the prophecies of the Old Testament which predicted that the Messiah would be silent before his accusers. Additionally, Jesus' silence highlights his commitment to the ultimate purpose of his life and ministry - to sacrifice himself for the salvation of humanity. Ultimately, by holding his peace in the face of interrogation, Jesus exemplifies humility, patience, and faithfulness to God's plan, setting an example for believers to trust in God's timing and sovereignty.

Theological Overview

In this verse from the book of Matthew, the high priest questions Jesus about his identity as the Son of God. When Jesus remains silent in response to the high priest's query, it is significant because it fulfills the prophecy in Isaiah 53:7 that the Messiah would be silent before his accusers. The high priest's use of the phrase "I adjure thee by the living God" is a solemn form of swearing an oath and carries weight in Jewish tradition. The high priest is essentially asking Jesus to swear by God himself whether he is claiming to be the Christ, the Son of God. The term "Christ" translates to "Messiah" in Greek, and its Hebrew equivalent is "Messiah," meaning the Anointed One. This questioning of Jesus' identity raises deep theological implications about his divine nature and role as the Savior. By exploring the cultural and religious context of this verse, we gain insight into the profound significance of Jesus' silence in the face of his accusers and the weight of the high priest's inquiry into his identity as the Son of God.

American Standard Version

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.
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