King James Version

What Does Luke 22:70 Mean?

Luke 22:70 in the King James Version says “Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.”

Luke 22:70 · KJV

Context

68

And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.

69

Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.

70

Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.

71

And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.

Read Luke 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. The Sanhedrin grasps Jesus' claim: eipan de pantes, sy oun ei ho huios tou theou (εἶπαν δὲ πάντες, σὺ οὖν εἶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ, 'then they all said, then you are the Son of God?'). The particle oun (οὖν, 'therefore, then') connects His claim to sit at God's right hand with divine sonship. Ho huios tou theou (ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ, 'the Son of God') means far more than special relationship—it claims divine nature, equality with God. Jews understood this (John 5:18, 10:33). Jesus' response hymeis legete hoti egō eimi (ὑμεῖς λέγετε ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι, 'you say that I am') is affirmation, not evasion.

The phrase egō eimi (ἐγώ εἰμι, 'I am') echoes God's self-identification to Moses (Exodus 3:14, 'I AM THAT I AM'). Jesus affirms their statement—'You yourselves say it: I AM.' This is confession of deity. The Sanhedrin wanted self-incriminating testimony; they received it. Jesus could have equivocated or remained silent. Instead, He boldly affirms His divine sonship, knowing it means death. Truth matters more than life. He won't deny His identity to preserve His body—the opposite of Peter, who denied Christ to save himself.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The charge 'Son of God' was blasphemy in Jewish law if claimed by mere man. The penalty was stoning (Leviticus 24:16). However, the Sanhedrin lacked authority to execute under Roman rule (John 18:31), requiring cooperation from Pilate. They therefore framed religious charge (blasphemy) as political charge (claiming kingship, sedition—Luke 23:2). Jesus' confession sealed His fate legally but fulfilled prophecy theologically. The 'I AM' statements throughout John's Gospel (6:35, 8:12, 10:11, 11:25, 14:6, 15:1) all assert deity, culminating in this trial confession.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does Jesus clearly affirm His divine sonship rather than remain silent or equivocate?
  2. What does Jesus' 'I AM' statement reveal about His self-understanding and mission?
  3. How does Jesus' confession of truth unto death contrast with Peter's denial to preserve life?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
εἶπον1 of 20

“he said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

δὲ2 of 20

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

πάντες3 of 20

“they all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

Σὺ4 of 20

“thou”

G4771

thou

οὖν5 of 20

“then”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

εἶ6 of 20

“Art”

G1488

thou art

ὁ7 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

υἱὸς8 of 20

“the Son”

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

τοῦ9 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ10 of 20

“of God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ὁ11 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ12 of 20

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

πρὸς13 of 20

“unto”

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

αὐτοὺς14 of 20

“them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἔφη15 of 20

“said”

G5346

to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e., speak or say

Ὑμεῖς16 of 20

“Ye”

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

λέγετε17 of 20

“say”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

ὅτι18 of 20

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἐγώ19 of 20

“I”

G1473

i, me

εἰμι20 of 20

“am”

G1510

i exist (used only when emphatic)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 22:70 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 22:70 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 23:3Matthew 27:11John 18:37Mark 15:2Matthew 26:64John 1:34

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