King James Version

What Does Matthew 26:63 Mean?

Matthew 26:63 in the King James Version says “But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tel...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Matthew 26:63 · KJV

Peace

Context

61

And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

62

And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

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.

64

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.

65

Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

Read Matthew 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 (ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς ἐσιώπα. καὶ ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς εἶπεν αὐτῷ, Ἐξορκίζω σε κατὰ τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ζῶντος ἵνα ἡμῖν εἴπῃς εἰ σὺ εἶ ὁ Χριστὸς ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ)—The imperfect ἐσιώπα ('He kept silent, He remained quiet') shows continued silence. The verb ἐξορκίζω (exorkizō, 'to adjure, to put under oath, to charge solemnly') invokes κατὰ τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ζῶντος ('by the living God'), making this oath-demand legally binding. Refusing to answer would constitute contempt; answering affirmatively would be 'blasphemy.'

The question is twofold: εἰ σὺ εἶ ὁ Χριστός ('if you are the Christ/Messiah') and ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ ('the Son of God'). In Jewish understanding, 'Christ' (Χριστός, anointed one) primarily meant Davidic king. 'Son of God' could mean messianic king (Psalm 2:7; 2 Samuel 7:14) but Jesus's usage implied unique divine sonship. Caiaphas's question cleverly forced Jesus either to deny His identity or confess it—knowing confession would be deemed blasphemy. Jesus was trapped between denial (apostasy) and affirmation ('blasphemy')—He chose truth.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Placing someone under oath 'by the living God' was highest form of adjuration (Leviticus 5:1; 1 Kings 22:16). Refusing to answer violated oath obligations. Jesus's submission to this oath shows He honored legitimate authority even while unjustly tried. 'The living God' (ὁ θεὸς ὁ ζῶν) distinguished Yahweh from dead idols—ironic, since they invoked the living God to kill Life incarnate. The question's phrasing shows Caiaphas suspected Jesus claimed deity; he forced confession to secure conviction. Jesus's answer (v. 64) confirmed His identity, sealing His death sentence.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's willing confession of truth despite knowing it would cost His life model integrity over self-preservation?
  2. When have you faced the choice between denying truth for safety or confessing truth despite persecution?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
ὁ1 of 29
G3588

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

δὲ2 of 29

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

Ἰησοῦς3 of 29

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ἐσιώπα4 of 29

“held his peace”

G4623

to be dumb (but not deaf also, like 2974 properly); figuratively, to be calm (as quiet water)

καὶ5 of 29

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀποκριθεὶς6 of 29

“answered”

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

ὁ7 of 29
G3588

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

ἀρχιερεὺς8 of 29

“the high priest”

G749

the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest

εἴπῃς9 of 29

“and said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτῷ10 of 29

“unto him”

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

Ἐξορκίζω11 of 29

“I adjure”

G1844

to exact an oath, i.e., conjure

σε12 of 29

“thee”

G4571

thee

κατὰ13 of 29

“by”

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

τοῦ14 of 29
G3588

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

θεοῦ15 of 29

“God”

G2316

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

τοῦ16 of 29
G3588

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

ζῶντος17 of 29

“the living”

G2198

to live (literally or figuratively)

ἵνα18 of 29

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

ἡμῖν19 of 29

“us”

G2254

to (or for, with, by) us

εἴπῃς20 of 29

“and said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

εἰ21 of 29

“whether”

G1487

if, whether, that, etc

σὺ22 of 29

“thou”

G4771

thou

εἶ23 of 29

“be”

G1488

thou art

ὁ24 of 29
G3588

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

Χριστὸς25 of 29

“the Christ”

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

ὁ26 of 29
G3588

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

υἱὸς27 of 29

“the Son”

G5207

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

τοῦ28 of 29
G3588

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

θεοῦ29 of 29

“God”

G2316

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

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Matthew 26:63 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 Matthew 26:63 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 5:1Isaiah 53:7Matthew 16:16Matthew 27:121 Samuel 14:26Isaiah 9:6-7

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