King James Version

What Does Luke 22:71 Mean?

Luke 22:71 in the King James Version says “And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Luke 22:71 · KJV

Context

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth. The Sanhedrin achieves their goal: Jesus' self-testimony provides basis for conviction. The phrase ti eti chreian echomen martyrias (τί ἔτι χρείαν ἔχομεν μαρτυρίας, 'what further need do we have of testimony?') shows their satisfaction—no more witnesses needed. The declaration autoi gar ēkousamen apo tou stomatos autou (αὐτοὶ γὰρ ἠκούσαμεν ἀπὸ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ, 'for we ourselves have heard from his own mouth') emphasizes they heard Jesus directly—autoi (αὐτοί, 'we ourselves') are eyewitnesses, apo tou stomatos (ἀπὸ τοῦ στόματος, 'from the mouth') means firsthand testimony.

Their logic is ironically correct but spiritually blind. They did hear from Jesus' own mouth—He confessed deity clearly. The tragedy is they heard truth and called it blasphemy. They had evidence demanded (v. 67) but rejected it. This fulfills Jesus' prophecy (v. 67): 'If I tell you, ye will not believe.' They heard God's voice and condemned it as blasphemy. This is sin's ultimate blindness: calling light darkness, truth lies, God's Son a blasphemer. They needed no further witnesses because they witnessed God incarnate and chose damnation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This verse ends Luke's account of the Jewish trial. The Sanhedrin immediately led Jesus to Pilate (Luke 23:1) to secure Roman execution. Their charge shifted from religious (blasphemy) to political (claiming kingship, forbidding taxes—Luke 23:2), showing cynical manipulation of legal systems. Historically, this trial violated multiple provisions of Jewish law: nighttime proceedings, feast-day trial, lack of defense witnesses, predetermined verdict, same-day sentencing in capital cases. The illegalities expose this as judicial murder, not justice. Yet God's sovereignty encompasses even injustice—this 'trial' fulfilled Scripture (Isaiah 53:8, Psalm 22:16).

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the tragedy of hearing God's truth from Christ's own mouth yet calling it blasphemy?
  2. How do people today 'hear from Jesus' (in Scripture, testimony) yet reject Him?
  3. What does this trial reveal about religious systems that claim God's name while rejecting God's Son?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 15 words
οἱ1 of 15
G3588

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

δὲ2 of 15

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

εἶπον,3 of 15

“they said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Τί4 of 15

“What”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ἔτι5 of 15

“any further”

G2089

"yet," still (of time or degree)

χρείαν6 of 15

“need we”

G5532

employment, i.e., an affair; also (by implication) occasion, demand, requirement or destitution

ἔχομεν7 of 15
G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

μαρτυρίας8 of 15

“witness”

G3141

evidence given (judicially or genitive case)

αὐτοῦ9 of 15

“his own”

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

γὰρ10 of 15

“for”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ἠκούσαμεν11 of 15

“have heard”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

ἀπὸ12 of 15

“of”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τοῦ13 of 15
G3588

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

στόματος14 of 15

“mouth”

G4750

the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations); figuratively, an opening (in the earth); specially, the front or e

αὐτοῦ15 of 15

“his own”

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

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 22:71 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 22:71 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 26:65-66Mark 14:63-64

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