Matthew 26 64

Matthew 26:64 kjv

Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Matthew 26:64 nkjv

Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven."

Matthew 26:64 niv

"You have said so," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

Matthew 26:64 esv

Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven."

Matthew 26:64 nlt

Jesus replied, "You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God's right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven."

Matthew 26 verses

Matthew 26 64 Meaning

Matthew 26:64 presents Jesus' profound and unequivocal affirmation of His divine identity and future glorious vindication before the Sanhedrin. When directly questioned by the High Priest Caiaphas, Jesus declares Himself to be the 'Son of Man' who will ascend to divine authority, 'seated at the right hand of Power,' and return visibly with heavenly majesty, 'coming on the clouds of heaven.' This declaration is not merely a statement about His future return, but a foundational claim to His present, inherent authority, glory, and role as judge, directly drawing upon Old Testament prophecy and confirming the very "blasphemy" Caiaphas sought. It reveals Jesus' understanding of His ultimate sovereignty and final triumph.

Matthew 26 64 Context

Matthew 26:64 is the pivotal moment in Jesus' trial before Caiaphas, the High Priest, and the Sanhedrin. Following Judas's betrayal, Jesus is brought before this highest Jewish judicial body. They are seeking false testimony to condemn Him to death, but no consistent witness can be found. In frustration, Caiaphas puts Jesus under oath, directly asking Him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of God?" (Mt 26:63). This question demands a definitive answer regarding Jesus' messianic identity and His claim to divine Sonship. Jesus' response in verse 64 is a powerful, affirmative declaration that confirms their accusation of blasphemy from their perspective, but profoundly asserts His true nature and ultimate destiny. The "blasphemy" Caiaphas hears is the audacious claim of a man to possess divine attributes, the ultimate affront to God's singularity. This immediate context underscores the profound theological weight of Jesus' words, moving beyond simple messianic claims to a declaration of His shared divine glory and impending cosmic rule.

Matthew 26 64 Word analysis

• Jesus said to him, "You have said so." (Εγώ εἰμι):
  • "You have said so." (sy eipas - "you said," or su eipas hoti) or in some texts "It is as you say" or "I am". This is a circumlocution, a typically Jewish way of affirming something without a direct "yes." It acknowledges the truth of Caiaphas's question (Am I the Son of God/Messiah?) and confirms it from Caiaphas's own lips. It avoids simply affirming the High Priest's leading question while unequivocally accepting the title in the subsequent statement. In the Markan parallel (Mk 14:62), Jesus directly states "I am" (Egō Eimi), which is an even more direct claim of divine identity, echoing Exodus 3:14 and Isaiah 43:10. The meaning here is thus a powerful "Yes, and more than you comprehend."
• But I tell you, from now on (πλην λεγω υμιν απ αρτι):
  • "But" (Plen): A strong adversative particle, emphasizing a shift from Caiaphas's limited understanding to Jesus' ultimate truth. It signals a dramatic counter-statement.
  • "from now on" (ap’ arti): This phrase indicates a change, either commencing immediately or signifying the imminent, divinely inaugurated phase of His reign and future glory. It marks the shift from His current humiliation and perceived weakness to His eternal authority and power.
• you will see (οψεσθε):
  • Refers to the Sanhedrin members, particularly Caiaphas, but likely encompassing all humanity in a broader sense at the culmination of history. It is a prophetic utterance of a visible, undeniable revelation of Jesus' true identity.
• the Son of Man (τον υιον του ανθρωπου):
  • "Son of Man" (ho huios tou anthrōpou): Jesus' favorite self-designation, deeply rooted in the Aramaic bar nasha. While human in appearance, it carries profound eschatological and divine connotations, especially from Daniel 7:13-14. It refers to the divinely appointed figure who receives universal dominion, glory, and an everlasting kingdom, identifying Him as both human and divine. This title highlights His unique mediating role and His ultimate authority as judge.
• seated at the right hand of Power (καθημενον εκ δεξιων της δυναμεως):
  • "seated" (kathēmenon): A posture of authority, rule, and rest, indicating completion and ultimate sovereignty.
  • "at the right hand" (ek dexiōn): A metaphorical expression for a position of ultimate authority, power, and honor in the presence of a king or deity. This is a direct reference to Psalm 110:1, which prophesied the Messiah's ascension to God's right hand.
  • "of Power" (tēs dynameōs): A Jewish circumlocution for God, avoiding direct utterance of the divine name. This term clearly indicates the infinite might and majesty of God. To be seated at the "right hand of Power" means sharing the very throne and authority of God Himself, a claim perceived as blatant blasphemy by the Jewish leaders.
• and coming on the clouds of heaven (και ερχομενον επι των νεφελων του ουρανου):
  • "coming" (erchomenon): Refers to the visible, glorious return of Jesus, the Parousia.
  • "on the clouds of heaven" (epi tōn nephelōn tou ouranou): Directly echoes Daniel 7:13 and implies a divine, supernatural appearance. Clouds in the Old Testament are often associated with God's presence, glory (Shekinah), and divine judgment (Exod 13:21; Lev 16:2; Pss 97:2, 104:3; Isa 19:1; Ezek 30:3). This imagery signifies the Son of Man's descent as an awe-inspiring, cosmic event of unparalleled glory and final judgment. It points to a visible, undeniable revelation of His dominion to the entire world, including those who rejected Him.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see": This phrase marks a crucial turning point. Jesus acknowledges the High Priest's question while correcting the High Priest's misunderstanding of the full implications of His identity. The "from now on" points to a new epoch inaugurated by His Passion and Resurrection, leading to His ultimate vindication. The "you will see" promises a future, undeniable revelation of His power, encompassing His exaltation and His Second Coming.
• "the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven": This is a direct, masterful conflation of two powerful Old Testament prophecies (Psalm 110:1 and Daniel 7:13-14). Jesus here claims:
  1. Divine Messiahship: He is the "Son of Man" from Daniel, the figure of universal dominion.
  2. Divine Authority/Exaltation: He will be "seated at the right hand of Power," confirming His unique relationship with God the Father and His position of shared sovereignty.
  3. Future Vindicator/Judge: His "coming on the clouds of heaven" signals His glorious return to execute judgment and establish His eternal kingdom. This response confirms the High Priest's charge of blasphemy because Jesus is equating Himself with God and claiming the attributes and future roles that Judaism ascribed solely to God.

Matthew 26 64 Bonus section

• The Polemical Aspect: Jesus' declaration in Matthew 26:64 served as a direct theological challenge to the Sanhedrin's understanding of God and the Messiah. By applying Psalm 110:1 to Himself ("seated at the right hand") and then invoking Daniel 7:13-14 ("Son of Man... coming on clouds"), Jesus claims both the intimate relationship with God typically reserved for Yahweh alone, and the role of the supreme judge/sovereign who descends in divine glory. This conflation of divine prerogatives with His human self, at that specific moment and under oath, was considered the highest form of blasphemy in their view, demonstrating a stark contrast between His self-perception and their rigid interpretation of monotheism and messianic expectations.
• "From now on": This phrase does not necessarily imply only the literal future Second Coming. Many scholars interpret it as signifying that Jesus' reign, His being seated at the right hand of power, effectively begins from that very moment, i.e., His passion, resurrection, and ascension. The full manifestation and visible "coming on clouds" will be the future Parousia, but His authoritative rule starts "from now on," with the victory accomplished through His atoning work on the cross. His words are thus both a declaration of imminent authority and a prophecy of ultimate future triumph.

Matthew 26 64 Commentary

Matthew 26:64 is a highly concentrated theological statement at a pivotal moment in the Passion narrative. Jesus' reply to Caiaphas is not simply a 'yes,' but a profound theological declaration synthesizing His identity and mission. He uses His favored self-designation, "Son of Man," which, while hinting at His humanity, here unequivocally invokes Daniel 7:13-14, presenting Himself as the majestic, divine figure granted everlasting dominion and a kingdom. The combination of "seated at the right hand of Power" (Psalm 110:1) and "coming on the clouds of heaven" (Daniel 7:13) powerfully asserts His equality with God in authority and His future role as the eschatological judge and glorious Messiah.

This declaration means:

1. Affirmation of Deity: By identifying with the "Son of Man" of Daniel 7 and applying Psalm 110:1 to Himself, Jesus claims divine prerogatives, thereby confirming the "blasphemy" in the eyes of the Jewish leaders. He isn't just a Messiah, but a divine King and Judge.
2. Shift from Humiliation to Exaltation: "From now on" signals the immediate reversal of fortunes; His suffering leads directly to His enthronement and ultimate vindication. The Cross is the path to the Throne.
3. Visible Vindication: "You will see" assures Caiaphas and all who reject Him that His return will be unmistakable, global, and marked by overwhelming power and glory. His execution on earth will be answered by His exaltation in heaven and ultimate cosmic rule.
4. Basis of Faith and Warning: For believers, it's a bedrock truth of Christ's sovereignty and a promise of His return. For unbelievers, it stands as a solemn warning of impending judgment by the one they condemned.