King James Version

What Does Matthew 26:64 Mean?

Matthew 26:64 in the King James Version says “Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the ... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

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.

66

What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said (λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς, Σὺ εἶπας)—The phrase Σὺ εἶπας is Hebraic affirmation—'You yourself have said it' means 'Yes.' Jesus affirmed His identity as Christ and Son of God. Mark 14:62 records stronger affirmation: 'I am' (Ἐγώ εἰμι). Jesus then elaborated: 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 (πλὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀπ' ἄρτι ὄψεσθε τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου καθήμενον ἐκ δεξιῶν τῆς δυνάμεως καὶ ἐρχόμενον ἐπὶ τῶν νεφελῶν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ).

This combines Daniel 7:13-14 (Son of Man coming with clouds) and Psalm 110:1 (sitting at God's right hand). Jesus declared that His judges would see Him vindicated—'from now on' (ἀπ' ἄρτι) His exaltation begins. The 'right hand of power' (ἐκ δεξιῶν τῆς δυνάμεως, 'power' being circumlocution for God) claims divine authority. Coming 'on clouds of heaven' signals divine theophany (Exodus 19:9; Psalm 104:3). Jesus reversed roles: they judge Him now; He'll judge them then (25:31-46). This clear claim to deity gave Caiaphas desired 'blasphemy.'

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus's citation of Daniel 7:13 and Psalm 110:1 was unmistakable messianic claim. Daniel's 'Son of Man' receives universal, eternal dominion from the Ancient of Days. Psalm 110 pictures God inviting the Messiah to sit at His right hand—position of authority and honor. Jews recognized these texts as messianic. Jesus applied them to Himself, claiming He would be vindicated and exalted despite current humiliation. The early church saw fulfillment in resurrection, ascension (Acts 2:33-36), and future return (Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's prediction that His judges would see Him exalted provide hope when you're unjustly condemned?
  2. What does Christ's willingness to confess truth though it meant death teach about valuing eternal vindication over temporary comfort?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
λέγω1 of 28

I 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

αὐτῷ2 of 28

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

3 of 28
G3588

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

Ἰησοῦς4 of 28

Jesus

G2424

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

Σὺ5 of 28

Thou

G4771

thou

εἶπας·6 of 28

hast said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

πλὴν7 of 28

nevertheless

G4133

moreover (besides), i.e., albeit, save that, rather, yet

λέγω8 of 28

I 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

ὑμῖν9 of 28

unto you

G5213

to (with or by) you

ἀπ'10 of 28

Hereafter

G575

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

ἄρτι11 of 28
G737

just now

ὄψεσθε12 of 28

shall ye see

G3700

to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1

τὸν13 of 28
G3588

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

υἱὸν14 of 28

the Son

G5207

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

τοῦ15 of 28
G3588

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

ἀνθρώπου16 of 28

of man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

καθήμενον17 of 28

sitting

G2521

and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside

ἐκ18 of 28

on

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

δεξιῶν19 of 28

the right hand

G1188

the right side or (feminine) hand (as that which usually takes)

τῆς20 of 28
G3588

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

δυνάμεως21 of 28

of power

G1411

force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)

καὶ22 of 28

and

G2532

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

ἐρχόμενον23 of 28

coming

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ἐπὶ24 of 28

in

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τῶν25 of 28
G3588

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

νεφελῶν26 of 28

the clouds

G3507

properly, cloudiness, i.e., (concretely) a cloud

τοῦ27 of 28
G3588

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

οὐρανοῦ28 of 28

of heaven

G3772

the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)


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 26:64 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 26:64 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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